March 6-7, 2010

The Feast of David of Wales
Only the 10:45 AM service will be held this Sunday

Saint David (c. 500–589) (Welsh: Dewi Sant) was a church official; he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. In contrast with the other national patron saints of the British Isles, Saints George, Andrew and Patrick, David is a native of the country of which he is patron saint, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to 512.

The best-known miracle associated with Saint David is said to have taken place when he was preaching in the middle of a large crowd at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi. When those at the back complained that they could not see or hear him, the ground on which he stood is reputed to have risen up to form a small hill so that everyone had a good view. A white dove was seen settling on his shoulder—a sign of God’s grace and blessing. John Davies notes that one can scarcely “conceive of any miracle more superfluous” in that part of Wales^[3]—a more mundane version of this story is that he simply recommended that the synod participants move to the hilltop. Though miraculously producing a platform on which to preach is not irrelevant. In works of art, David is frequently shown with a dove on his shoulder. The village of Llanddewi Brefi is said to stand on the spot where the miracle occurred.

Death

It is claimed that David lived for over 100 years, and he died on a Tuesday 1 March (now St David’s Day). It is generally accepted that this was around 590, making the actual year 589. The monastery is said to have been ‘filled with angels as Christ received his soul’. His last words to his followers were in a sermon on the previous Sunday. Rhygyfarch transcribes these as ‘Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.’ ‘Do the little things in life’ (’Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd’) is today a very well-known phrase in Welsh, and has proved an inspiration to many.

David was buried at St David’s Cathedral where his shrine was a popular place of pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages.

Lessons for this week:

RCL

1 Thessalonians 2:2b-12
Mark 4:26-29
Psalm 16:5-11 or
Psalm 96:1-7

No breakfast this Sunday, but a wonderful lunch will be served after the service.
Sunday school returns this Sunday

There is always a place at the table for you, at St. David’s.