Issue No 203
Magazine for the Builth Ministry Area July/August 2018
Chaplaincy on the Royal Welsh Showground The Chaplaincy team on the Royal Welsh Show Ground is there to respond to the needs of all visitors and staff. We offer the hand of fellowship to those of all faiths and none. Relying on the strength that our own faith brings, we seek at all times to help those who are in need of any kind. Our duty on the show ground is not to proselytise, but to be a welcoming, supporting body of people, under the one faith seeking to bring Pastoral Care where needed. We are based within the Christian Centre for Rural Wales Offices. In order to represent the Churches in Wales the Chaplains looks to Cytun the ecumenical organization which represents not only the Church in Wales but also all the churches in Wales. Archbishop John commented “as always, there will be a strong Christian presence at the Show with daily services, to which everyone is welcome, and a team of chaplains offering care and support to those who need it. The Show is the highlight of the year for our rural community as it is a valuable chance not just for them to showcase livestock and produce but to meet, socialise and share experiences. Our clergy who minister in rural areas know only too well how important that social element is as austerity, loss of public services, uncertainty over Brexit and increasing isolation take their toll on the mental health of farmers in particular. Our message to them is that we are here, we care and we want to help.” As chaplains we cover all of the thirty one events for 2018. On small events there may only be one or two chaplains volunteering. But you can always recognise us because our bright orange Jackets! Each event has a lead Chaplain who co-ordinates any situations that require additional support. Recently the Urdd required several Chaplains
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(especially the ones from North Wales who are mostly Welsh speaking), whilst in the Royal Welsh Show we provide four chaplains a day who will take on duties in the main areas of activity within the event. We co-ordinate with activities and support the churches tents on some events. I find this volunteer work very rewarding because I am able to go alongside people and meet and talk with them in the context of their everyday lives. Events on the showground attract a wide mix of people from many walks of life. Conversations take place with exhibitions, trade stand personnel, security staff, general stall holders, judges and the whole eclectic array of show people. I am a chaplain in a team of ordained ministers and at the moment I am the only Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in the Chaplains team. In addition to the Chaplains the Royal Welsh Show this year will have visiting Christian trained ‘street pastors’ coming up from Ebbw Vale. They will be volunteering in the town of Builth Wells from 9.30pm to 3.30am handing out flip flops, bottles of water and generally just being alongside those show people who may need guidance to find their way back to their accommodation after a night out. A ‘green route’ will be marked out from the centre of Builth Wells over the bridge towards the showground onward to camp sites and the young people’s village. With so many people visiting the area a new initiative around people’s safety has evolved, which the churches are playing a role in. Janet Day
EDITORSHIP If you wish to contact the editor, please note new email address: signpostsmagazine@gmail.com