Cymuned Christmas 2019

2 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Community comes together to celebrate Doreen's remarkable life

10&11

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Anniversaries are a chance to reflect and plan for the future

A Anthem for Maurice as he marks 50 years' service to cathedral choir

12&13

Make it a happy Christmas for Faith in Families by taking part in appeal

18&19 Cymuned is produced and distributed by the Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Board of Finance, a company registered in England and Wales.

Company Number: 924565 Registered Charity Number: 249810 © Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Board of Finance.

All information correct at time of going to press.

If you have a story or event for inclusion, email eryljones@churchinwales.org.uk or telephone 01874 623716.

You can send us your stories/photos and keep up to date with the latest news at Facebook.com/SwanseaandBreconDiocese Plus don’t forget you can also find us on Twitter. Follow us @Swanbrec Plus don’t forget you can also find us on Instagram. Follow us @ swabrecdiocese

nniversaries are important and, in the calendar of the Church, we are familiar with the marking of particular anniversaries, not least major Holy Days that fall on a specific date, for example Christmas Day and All Saint’s Day to name but two.

Marking anniversaries in both church life and personal life gives us the opportunity to both reflect on past events and to plan, hopefully, for the future. Just as we might make resolutions on New Year’s Day, Advent Sunday, the beginning of a new Christian year should enable us to reflect upon the quality of our discipleship over the past year and, I hope, to commit to ever more faithful discipleship in the year ahead.

So, as another Advent has come and as we joyfully celebrate another Christmas, my hope and prayer for each one of you is that these opportunities to reflect, celebrate and commit will not simply pass by, but that they will be taken and used to bring faith, joy and commitment for our shared journey of discipleship and witness.

Next year, 2020, sees the Church in Wales mark the centenary of its creation as a separate Province of the Anglican Communion following the disestablishment of the Church of England here in Wales. This anniversary will be marked by both reflection and commitment to the future, and more will be written about this in the New Year. Suffice it to say, at this stage, that, at the heart of this particular anniversary, will be local celebration, opportunities

for local churches, parishes and ministry areas to look back on how the local church has served the local community and its people in joyful times and less joyful times, and to engage faithfully and hopefully in commitment to continuing service in the future.

Later in this edition of Cymuned you will read about another upcoming anniversary, namely the 21st birthday of Faith in Families. This will, indeed, be a wonderful moment to celebrate the church’s active role in society, living out Jesus’s command that we must compassionately welcome, support and love those in need, treating them as if it were Jesus himself whom we were treating. Because of uncertainty arising from decisions made elsewhere about grant-funding, Faith in Families has been and remains under great financial pressure, so the celebration of its past work requires of us a ready commitment to doing all that we can to ensure that this work continues into the future.

If it doesn’t, it will be the needy in some of our most deprived communities who will suffer. I ask you to do all that you can to make their needs and the work of Faith in Families known in your local area, and to do all that you can in whatever way you can to give your support.

With the assurance of my love and prayers as always.

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Justice undermined by legal system cuts, Archbishop John says Cutbacks in the legal system are undermining justice in Wales, the Archbishop John has told senior lawyers.

The Archbishop warned that diminishing resources at a time of increased demand were creating a crumbling infrastructure which was neither “right nor just”.

For justice to be administered correctly it needed to be “properly and seriously resourced, decently supported and highly respected”, he said.

The Archbishop was addressing lawyers at a service in Llandaff Cathedral marking the opening of the Legal Year.

He said: “Regrettably, it seems to me, that nowadays many of you are called to undertake these important and noble tasks in a frequently contradictory context, a context of increasing demands, alongside diminishing resources, ever tighter budgets, shrinking entitlement to legal aid, and crumbling infrastructure. And by infrastructure I mean not only court buildings, but also some prisons, conditions in which beggar belief, and are an indictment of any society which claims to call itself civilised; prisons in which, if the government has its apparent way, some people will be spending rather more time than at present they might expect. That can’t be right.

That can’t be just.”

He added: “At many a local level, where for several years in the past I plied my trade as a criminal solicitor, magistrates’ courts have vanished, airbrushed from the scene, removing from the judicial process, presumably in the interests of economy, much relevant local knowledge, many local insights about communities, their people, their peers, their pressures, their failings. Important local matters, not least in the process of proper and appropriate sentencing.

That can’t be right or just either.”

4 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

The small charity which has had a huge impact on children’s lives As Faith in Families prepares to celebrate its 21st birthday, CEO Cherrie Bija looks back at some of the charity's remarkable success stories and pays tribute to the amazing staff who are making a real difference to our communities

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n 2020 we will be celebrating our 21st birthday. 1999, the year that we began, was a big and exciting year for children and charities.

On March 18, 1999 Prime Minister Tony Blair pledged to end child poverty. This led to all leading parties coming together with a promise that child poverty in the UK would be ended by 2020.

This historic move made child poverty a political priority and led to huge progress.

There was a dramatic rise in investment in childcare, better early years support through Sure Start, crucial child benefit and tax credit support and major improvements in lone parent employment rates. The fall in child poverty leading up to 2008 was fantastic.

Sadly that trend is now in reverse.

In 2019, one year before the 2020 deadline that the government had committed to for tackling this crisis, it is worse. Child poverty is on the rise with rates set to reach record levels by early 2020. 32.1% of the children in Swansea and 26.8% of the children in Brecon in the communities where Faith in Families' work focuses live in adverse childhood conditions.

The Government's own measures show that child poverty has been rising steadily since 2013 with measures of absolute child poverty

showing a rise for the first time this year. This just isn’t right.

Growing up in poverty means growing up trapped. It restricts a child’s chance of doing well at school, of living a healthy and happy life and of finding secure employment. Faith in Families' aim is to tackle this and alleviate the effects in any way we can.

Through outreach, early intervention and preventative, researched and evidenced methods, we are reaching thousands of children and families each year. We work collaboratively to strengthen communities, building resilience, raising confidence, health, happiness and wellbeing, meeting the social needs identified by those who live, work and play in our parishes.

Let me tell you about our Brighter Futures project. In the summer of 2018 for the first time ever we had to exclude a child from our summer playscheme because of his challenging behaviour. When school started we got in touch to discuss ‘Tom’s’ story. Tom, who is eight years old, was on a restricted timetable in school because they also could not manage his behaviour. This meant that Tom was missing out on education, making friends and his rights under Article 28 of the UNCRC. We knew we had to do something about this and our Brighter Futures project started in May 2019 with

three small grants from Children in Need, Charles Platter Foundation and Regional health board.

Within two months we had more than 56 referrals from the local schools within two miles of each of our centres.

Through positive supportive relationships, we enable children with their parent/carer to experience different activities that will encourage their learning, address concerns, provide boundaries, the ability to express themselves and give opportunities to explore their talents and gifts.

We work with the family to find ways to better manage their emo-

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Volunteers needed St John’s Centre in Brecon is looking for volunteers who would be happy to share their skills and knowledge with others.

The Kids’ Cooking After School Club teaches a small group of local primary school children how to cook healthy balanced meals and give them an opportunity to learn about nutrition. It takes place from 3.15pm – 5.30pm on Wednesdays during term time.

It needs someone experienced in cookery and happy to share skills and knowledge with others.

The over 50s luncheon club helps combat loneliness and isolation, it’s a warm and friendly group of around 18 individuals who look forward to their lunch on a Monday afternoon and experience a wide range of activities and entertainment afterwards.

St John's needs a committed extra luncheon club cook to help once or twice a month if able.

It offers a free lunch, a chance to meet new people and make a real difference to the participants.

Food hygiene certificate training will be provided at no cost to you and is valid for three years.

If you’d like to volunteer, or to find out more, contact Alix Miller on 01874 611723 ext 1 or email stjohns@faithinfamilies.wales

tions, feelings and relationships in order to improve family life.

Through this relationship we are able to have insight into any other family support that is necessary and work with our team and partner agencies that work in our community cwtches.

We have had to stop taking referrals and are now working intensely on 12-week therapeutic sessions with over 40 children with challenging behaviour.

So, as we come of age, we want to ensure that those vulnerable children in our society will have the opportunity to become healthy,

happy, successful adults who will have a positive future and we want the communities that we work in to be able to provide that all important cwtch to young and old.

Over the decade that I have been a part of Faith in Families I have had the real privilege of working with some incredibly passionate and caring people. I have witnessed team members coming into our projects over the Christmas holidays to ensure that food hampers are delivered to those who are hungry in our communities. I have heard stories about the difference that is being made to families’ lives because of the kindness that

is shown to them and how the most needy are willing to access services because of the compassion that has been shared. I have also seen tears from staff who are witnessing real poverty in families’ lives, frustration regarding the barriers that are put in place for people to move forward and persistence to ensure that fairness is provided.

We know there are limits to what we can achieve, that there are circumstances that we are aware of that we have no power to change, but we also know that when we can we will and it is that tenacity in my teams that I am so proud of.

6 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

‘Volunteering in the groups me feel better and see that Faith in Families’ three Swansea centres – Penplas, Bonymaen and Clase – and Brecon St John’s Centre have been serving their communities for two decades. Someone who has been there from the start, first as a volunteer and now a valued member of the team, tells her story

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y name is Jackie Bennett.

I have two grown up daughters, two gorgeous grandchildren and I have been married to my husband Steven for 30 years.

When my children were little I started to take them to parent and toddler groups in the local community. I really enjoyed the groups and my children got a lot out of the sessions.

Both myself and my husband were out of work and receiving benefits. I wanted to get back into work but didn’t feel confident enough.

After I had been attending the project for a while the project manager asked me if I would like to volunteer in some of the sessions, I felt nervous when she asked me but after a while I took up the opportunity and started to volunteer in the childcare groups.

Volunteering in the groups really helped me, it made me feel better and see that I could work with children, which is something that I had never thought of before.

After a while I was asked if I would like to do my NVQ Level 2 in Childcare.

I was quite nervous about doing a qualification as I hadn’t

done any qualifications for a long time.

After lots of encouragement I decided to give it a go, I completed

my level 2 doing my placement at Penplas and soon went on to do my Level 3.

Doing my placement and doing

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really helped me. It made I could work with children’ Food scheme lifeline

my qualification worked out well for me, I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to go to college.

After I qualified I was chuffed to be offered a job at Penplas Family Centre.

I am happy to say I am still in that job with Faith in Families almost 20 years later.

We are now based at Teilo's Community Cwtch. My job has changed so much and I do things

that I never imagined I would do now. It’s great, I love it.

By volunteering and gaining qualifications I have been able to come off benefits, I have a solid home for my family and I have gained a lot of confidence through the continuing training and support I have been given.

I enjoy sharing my story with parents and would encourage anyone to do this.

Faith in Families has received a “vital lifeline” thanks to Tesco’s Community Food Connection (CFC) scheme.

The charity has been supported in its work by donations of surplus food from Tesco stores in Swansea.

Leanne Evans, manager of Teilo’s Community Cwtch, said: “The donations from Tesco truly help to keep the centre afloat. Last year alone, we supported 7,900 people who came to us for a helping hand.

Because of this demand, budgets are tight, and if we can save money in any way, it really helps us allocate vital funding to where families need it most.”

Run in partnership with food charity Fareshare, the Tesco Community Food Connection initiative donates surplus food to local charities and community groups.

Organisations benefitting from CFC receive contributions such as eggs, bread, fruit and vegetables, which the group puts to use preparing meals for its café, cooking courses and food parcels.

Leanne said: “As a result of Tesco’s involvement Teilo’s can now help 150 people per week. We sort the food donations into two groups, one which can be used at the centre and another which can go towards members of the community to help them out at home. We also top up the food pantry in the church so items can be put towards the food parcels we collect."

Charities which could benefit from this programme can get in touch with their local store or visit www.fareshare.org.uk/ getting-food/fareshare-go-support

8 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Help to support St Thomas' work St Thomas’ Church in Swansea has been chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund.

St Thomas’ is raising funds towards the different community activities it does across the city to benefit communities.

The church has a large youth group of 85 children, aged from five to 15.

It runs a baby charity, helping the most vulnerable mums in Swansea, runs a food bank and provides free meals during school holidays. It helps the elderly through its luncheon clubs and also provides a bereavement support group in partnership with its local Co-op Funeralcare.

It also runs a mentoring programme with local schools and provides Easter eggs and Christmas presents to vulnerable families all over Swansea.

Vicar of St Thomas’ Rev Steve Bunting said: “At a time when funds for community groups and charitable organisations are becoming more difficult to access, we’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity to make a real difference in the Eastside of Swansea.

To support visit https:// membership.coop.co.uk/ causes/39136 and choose St Thomas’ Church. If you’re not a member you can join at your local store or online at www. coop.co.uk.

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Empowering our their connections As part of the diocese's work on its Evangelism Fund bid, a community audit was carried out to identify stengths, weaknesses and how we can better engage with our communities

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he results of the diocese's community engagement audit are in, and will help to shape our bid to the Church in Wales' Evangelism Fund.

We employed the Cinammon Network's Mandy Bayton to create and co-ordinate the survey.

Mandy met with ministry area teams to explain the survey and help them reach out to their local communities.

The survey focused on communities' needs, strengths and weaknesses and how the church could support them.

Mandy, right, said: “The work I’m doing with the ministry area leaders is going to equip churches to find out what is in their communities already and what is lacking.

“Almost regardless of the bid to the evangelism fund, they’re going to end up with a better idea of what’s going on in their communities, where the real needs are, where the strengths are and to get an idea of how the church is perceived by the community and how it fits in."

There were 796 completed responses from across the diocese. Reports have been distributed to ministry areas and it's hoped that they will identify local needs and initiatives that could be implemented.

Diocesan Secretary Louise Pearson said: “An analysis of the results showed the profile of respondents was

primarily our own congregations.

“While it was interesting to see the needs our congregations expressed it was also evident that there's an opportunity for us as a diocese to train, encourage and empower our church communities to be evangelistic and to provide them with the tools they need to connect with those outside of typical church life.

“To do this well we need it to be the primary focus of our bid, rather than the strand of a bigger project.

“The evangelism bid working party is looking at ways of delivering this.”

The Evangelism Fund is an ambitious £10m initiative to grow new Christians across the country.

Grants of between £250,000 and £3m are available for diocesan projects which, crucially, will focus on people rather than buildings and engage Welsh society with the claims of the Christian faith in vibrant and exciting ways.

Through partnering with another agency, the diocese aims to employ a team of evangelism enablers who would work alongside our ministry areas to equip them to develop according to their own demographic needs.

Ministry areas are being encouraged

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churches to grow and evangelism Organ tour for charity begins

to apply to the diocesan Mission Fund for any of those initiatives that they would like to respond to, regardless of the final bid.

Grants are available - from £100 to more than £10,000 - for start-up projects backed by parishes.

Kes Seymour, grants administrator, said: “If you have an exciting missional project that you are looking to get off the ground then please do contact the diocesan office. Recent projects have included the Convivium Festival, a music ministry and a community garden.”

For more information about the Mission Fund, email kesseymour@ churchinwales.org.uk

Organist Stephen Honeyman's musical pilgrimage around the diocese to raise money for charity is underway, with a well-attended first recital at Brecon Cathedral.

All money raised will go to Faith in Families, the organ fund at St Catherine’s Church in Gorseinon and Llangyfelach Church.

Stephen is the resident organist at the Parish Church of Llangyfelach with Clase in the north of Swansea, is hoping to give a recital in each ministry area.

Stephen has added more dates for 2020: Saturday, January 18 St Alban the Martyr, Treboeth, Swansea SA5 9EL 2pm-3pm Saturday, February 1 All Saints' Church, Oystermouth SA3 4BZ 11am-12pm Saturday, February 29 St Cynog's Church, Ystradgynlais SA9 1HQ 1pm-2pm Saturday, March 21 St Clement's Church, Rhayader LD6 5AU 7pm-8pm Saturday, July 25 St Cenydd's Church, Llangennith SA3 1HU 7pm-8pm

10 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Nonagenarian Doreen top of pupils gather for school’s

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or generations of schoolchildren from Llangors Church in Wales Primary School, Doreen Tranter is the friendly face who helped them to sew, knit, read and spell.

Doreen, now 93 years old, has been a regular at the school since 1981 and still goes in twice a week to lend a hand and offer advice.

Doreen is also a familiar face to generations of Welsh nurses who trained at Cardiff Royal Infirmary, where she served as a ward sister for 12 years and supervisor before becoming administrator of seven South Wales hospitals.

Doreen’s fascinating life was the subject of a ‘This is Your Life’ evening at the school, when pupils past and present and members of the local community packed into the sports hall for the question and answer session led by former television journalist Sue Brook.

Pupils sang songs specially-written for the event, and presented Doreen with a bouquet of flowers.

“I was born in 1926 in Ebbw Vale,” Doreen said. “I lived in Ebbw Vale itself for four years before my father got a job as the supervisor of the waterworks at Carno so we moved then. I went to Rassau school and in those days you all left school at 14 or you were brainy and won a scholarship or your parents were wealthy and could buy you a scholarship. There weren’t all the universities there are now.

“I didn’t go to university, I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I wasn’t old enough then to start my general training so I went to do fever training because you could do that younger.

“I always wanted to be a nurse, I never wanted to do anything else.”

Doreen began her working life at Merthyr’s Mardy hospital, where she

gave the first dose of penicillin.

“Scarlet fever was rampant in those days because penicillin had been invented but wasn’t freely available because it was so very expensive,” Doreen said.

When she was old enough to start her general training Doreen left for Cardiff Royal Infirmary but it wasn’t long before she made the move north.

“I did my general training at Cardiff Royal Infirmary and then I decided I couldn’t call myself a proper nurse unless I did my midwifery training so I went up to Scotland,” Doreen said.

“Edinburgh Royal Infirmary was renowned because the tutor there, Maggie Myles, was famous. So two of us, a friend of mine from Llangattock and I, went up to Scotland for experience. We did the first part of our midwifery in Edinburgh and for the second part we had to go to Bellshill in the Gorbals, which was an experience.

“The people were very friendly and if you were in uniform they’d do anything for you. They were marvellous.

“They used to live in tenements.

There was no running water but they’d put a boiler on for you and get everything ready. They didn’t have beds as such, just recesses in the walls with slabs and mattresses on the slabs.

It was very difficult because you could only deliver the baby on one side or the other.

“They were all home births then, unless there were complications.”

Doreen was in Scotland for a year before returning to Cardiff Royal Infirmary. “I didn’t want to carry on doing midwifery so I came back. I was a ward sister for 12 years on Mametz ward which was an accident and emergency ward.”

During her time at Car-

Doreen and Sue Brook on stage at the 'This is Your Life' evening at the school

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of the class as generations ‘This is Your Life’ celebration diff Royal, Doreen saw great changes in the NHS and even survived a bombing raid by German aircraft in World War II, when the hospital was hit.

“When the Heath (University Hospital of Wales) opened I had to go to there,” Doreen said. “I had to take an administrative post but that wasn’t me. I was in charge of seven hospitals at one time, but not for long. I wasn’t an administrator. I didn’t like being away from the patients.”

Doreen retired in 1981 and moved to Llangors, where she has become a familiar and popular face.

“My parents came here originally in 1961 when my father retired. My mother was originally from Bronllys so we came here.”

Her involvement with the school started thanks to her friend Mary Morgan, who was the then-headmistress.

“Before I retired, if I was off I’d go up and help in the school.

It was sewing and needlework then but they don’t do that sort of thing anymore.

“When I retired they asked if I’d go and help with the reading in the school. I used to go up once a week and then they asked if I could increase my hours so I went twice a week.

“The children read to me and I correct them or help if they don’t know a word or how to spell it.”

And Doreen has no plans to retire.

“I love it," she said. "It’s good for the children to see an older person."

12 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

‘I’ve always loved singing, we always had music in the house, so it was quite easy for me to join the choir’ It’s been a special year for one of Brecon Cathedral Choir’s longest-serving singers, as he celebrates 50 years’ service.

Maurice Parry, lay clerk and tenor, joined the choir in 1969, the year Apollo 11 landed on the Moon and the Beatles were No1. Here, he looks back on his half-century in the stalls

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his year marks 50 years of unbroken service to Brecon Cathedral Choir, but Maurice Parry has been singing for a lot longer than that.

And, when it came to marking the occasion with a specially-commissioned anthem, who better to turn to than a composer who was there where it all began.

“I was a choirboy from about seven-years-old,” Maurice said. “I’m from Llanelli and I went to the local church, St Alban’s, and I sang as a treble in the choir there.

"Funnily enough, 10 years later, the composer of the anthem Neil Cox also went to that same church. He was a very talented musician and went on to bigger things.”

Maurice was also a member of choirs at grammar school in Llanelli, before he left to study pharmacy in Cardiff.

He qualified in 1966 and a job with Boots the chemist brought him to work in Brecon.

“My predecessor at Boots was a

lovely man called Richard Griffiths.

He knew everyone in Brecon because he’d been there for 30-odd years – little was I to know it but I did over 30 years after him.

"He introduced me to David Gedge who was the director of music here, and Hazel his wife. David asked me if I’d done any singing and I said yes, and that’s how I came to join the choir.

“I’ve always enjoyed singing.

It’s something I was brought up with in the house. My father was a competent pianist, and he had been to another church in Llanelli, All Saints.

"I had two brothers as well and we always had music in the house.

We used to sing around the piano at Christmas time. I’ve always loved singing so it was quite easy for me to join the choir here.”

Maurice is also full of praise for the camaraderie in the choir.

“I’ve always had good friends in the choir. When I first came there were two gentlemen who’d been in the choir for nearly 50 years

Maurice, left, with Brecon Cathedral's and they were most welcoming, nice people. The choir as a whole welcomed me. It’s a voluntary choir, we don’t get paid as most English cathedrals do, but we do it for the love of it.

“It’s a pretty broad band of music we sing. I can sing Tudor music or recent stuff, it’s all the same to me. I like it all.

“We practise on Thursday nights, for the lay clerks, and the choristers an hour before us. We have a Friday evensong, a rehearsal before that, and we sing the two services on a Sunday.

“I’d definitely recommend it, but you’ve got to have a love of music to do it. If you don’t have some sort of

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Archbishop's award honours musicians for church service

director of music Stephen Power and composer Neil Cox background in music you might find it a bit difficult because of the variety of music we sing. We have to pick it up fairly quickly.”

The anthem, commissioned by former Brecon tenor Rogers Covey-Crump, which was dedicated to Maurice’s 50th anniversary was debuted at the service celebrating the Archbishop of Wales’ Certificate of Merit in Church Music.

Maurice had not been told of the commission in advance but said the choir has been enjoying the piece.

“Neil, of course, was a very talented boy. He got an organ scholarship to Cambridge and

then taught in Lancing College for 40 years.

“I wasn’t aware that there was a piece commissioned until Stephen Power, the current director of music, told me. Stephen is originally from Gloucester and Neil has retired to Gloucester.

Stephen thought it would a nice idea to dedicate it to me."

“We were delighted we were able to commission this new piece to celebrate Maurice’s 50 years with the choir,” the cathedral’s director of music Stephen Power said.

“Maurice continues to be a valued member of the choir and its associated social activities.”

People who have kept music at the heart of church services, Sunday after Sunday, for several decades, have been honoured.

Three organists and a chorister, who have each given years of unstinting service to their churches, were presented with certificates by Archbishop John at a special service at Brecon Cathedral.

They received the Archbishop of Wales’ Certificate of Merit in Church Music which pays tribute to the talents and faithful service of musicians who are not professionally trained.

Archbishop John said: “Good music has the capacity to greatly enhance worship, and being able, through these awards, to recognise the gifts, the goodwill and the commitment of those who work tirelessly and faithfully to provide it is always a welcome opportunity.”

This year’s recipients were: • Eileen Thomas, who has been the organist at SS Jeffrey and Oswald Church, Jeffreyston, for 46 years.

• Anne Griffiths, organist and choir leader at St Agnes’ Church, Port Talbot, for 30 years.

• Diane Campbell, organist at St Mary’s Church, Burton, for 51 years.

• Jane Mullins, chorister at St Michael and All Angels church, Maesteg for 52 years and head chorister for the past 42 years.

There are three music awards which are open to people from all denominations of churches and chapels.

• The Archbishop of Wales Award in Church Music (AWACM): for those at senior and professional level who are organists and choir-trainers.

• Honorary Award: for those with professional training making strides in church music.

• Certificate of Merit: for those who have given good and faithful service in the field of church music throughout the churches and chapels of Wales.

To find out more or to nominate someone contact secretary John Davies, at johndavies@churchinwales. org.uk, or telephone 02920 348200.

14 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Book your place at readers' conference St Padarn's 2020 Provincial Lay Readers' Conference will be held against the beautiful backdrop of Swansea Bay. The conference will focus on the challenges and opportunities that exist for Lay Readers in a rapidly evolving church and social context.

The conference will revolve around a pattern of shared times of prayer and worship, celebrating our unity and diversity as a community of Lay Readers across Wales.

There will be two main speakers: • Sandra Millar has headed up the Life Events Programme in the Church of England for many years, and will be helping delegates look afresh at the vast opportunities that exist in ministry to families around baptisms, weddings and funerals.

• Ruth Haldane is the Reader Training Project Manager with the Central Readers Council (the CRC) and is tasked with equipping, envisioning and enabling Readers in England and Wales in the 21st century ministry.

Ruth will be challenging delegates to think about three strands of Reader ministry teaching the faith, enabling mission, and leading in church and society.

The conference will run from 4pm on Friday, July 3 to 2pm on Sunday, July 5.

Booking forms for the conference will be available from January 2020, but you can register your interest now by emailing cmdadmin@ stpadarns.ac.uk or by telephoning CMD Support on 02920563379.

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Centenary gives to share our story

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he Church in Wales is preparing to celebrate 100 years of serving Wales as it enters its centenary year.

In 1920, the Church in Wales became an independent part of the Anglican Communion after centuries of being part of the Church of England. The process was known as ‘disestablishment’ as it broke the link between Welsh churches and the state with the Welsh Church Act. The centenary year began this year on Advent Sunday (December 1), the start of the Christian year. Events being held to mark the anniversary include celebration services in all six of the Church’s cathedrals on June 7 and a visit by the Archbishop

of Canterbury in April. A Centenary Appeal has also been launched which aims to raise £100,000 for two charities over the next five years.

Archbishop John said: “We will be celebrating this landmark birthday throughout the year in churches and communities across Wales, and I invite everyone to join in giving thanks and praise for the fellowship we have shared over the years and, at the same time committing to a future renewed with hope and confidence.”

Provincial Secretary, Simon Lloyd, said, “The Church in Wales is involved in community life in all parts of Wales – in cities, towns, villages and hamlets, in both of our languages,

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us opportunity with the nation

amongst people of all ages. We welcome everyone. The centenary is an opportunity to share our story and our life together with our friends, our neighbours and our nation.”

From a song by a rap artist and a digital campaign to a new choral work and celebration services, the Church’s 100th birthday is being celebrated in a host of different ways.

All six of the Church’s cathedrals will be holding a celebration service at the same time, on June 7. It will feature a first for the Church in Wales as the service – the liturgy – was written initially in Welsh and then translated into English, allowing elements of the Welsh poetic tradition to be weaved in.

Another highlight will be a tour of Wales by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, including a visit to Faith in Families in Swansea.

Evangelism will be a key theme of the centenary. A social media campaign will include a modern Bible rap by Christian musician, Guvna B. Meanwhile, a landmark book giving an up-to-date history of the Church in Wales will be published. A New History of the Church in Wales is edited by Norman Doe, Professor of Law at Cardiff University and canon law specialist. It features chapters by serving and retired clergy as well as lay experts and will be published

by Cambridge University Press.

Course in spiritual direction on offer St Padarn’s will be running a provincial training course in spiritual direction.

The year-long course will consist of three residential blocks linked and supported by reflective work and reading.

The dates of the residential blocks are: • Wednesday 8 – Tuesday 14 July 2020 • Thursday 18 – Wednesday 24 February 2021 • Sunday 4 – Saturday 10 July 2021 Applicants may be lay or ordained, but all should have a sense of calling to the work of accompanying others in their spiritual journey and some evidence of a potential vocation. Applicants will have been in spiritual direction for some time and are expected to continue throughout the course.

The course is free and accommodation and full board will also be provided free of charge for the residential blocks. Participants will be expected to meet their own travelling costs, and the cost of any books or other literature.

The course has been endorsed by Archbishop John, who said: "It gives me great pleasure to endorse this positive and exciting initiative as one which I believe can only be for the good of the ministry which we exercise and offer.

"Spiritual grounding and nourishment are essential to what we do."

For more details, or to express an interest in attending the course, contact Veronica Cottam at cmdadmin@ stpadarns.ac.uk or 02920 563 379.

16 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Help celebrate youth workers Two services of celebration will be held next year, for all children and youth work volunteers in the diocese.

The services - one at Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells and one at St Mary’s Church, Swansea - will be led by Archbishop John and volunteers will have the opportunity to share good news stories and commission their ministry for the year ahead.

Volunteers are invited to hand in a single A4 page sharing their good news story during the service.

Examples include a prayer, comments, drawing, article, story, collage or photograph.

These will then be shared around the diocese and a booklet will be produced later in the year.

Please ensure that you have the appropriate permission to use any photographs.

For more information and to book your place, please contact sian.parkhouse@ hotmail.co.uk or claremorgan@churchinwales.org.uk

Candles lit for loved ones at St David's

A service of celebration and remembrance for loved ones has taken place in St David’s Church in Llanfaes. People came to hear their loved one’s name read out and members of the family lit a candle.

How Lent Appeal is lives for the better at

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rchbishop John has presented Lent Appeal cheques to this year’s chosen charities at a service at Brecon Cathedral.

The Bishop’s Lent Appeal has raised more than £100,000 for good causes since its launch and 2019's charities were: • USPG, which was commended by Sue King, our Diocesan Rep; • Faith in Families, committed to by the Bishop; • Nordoff Robbins, commended by Canon Alison Jones; • Jeel al-Amal Orphanage, Bethany, commended by Fr Nigel Doyle.

Jeel al-Amal Boys orphanage home and co-educational school is in the village of Bethany. The home provides a home for around 72 Palestinian boys (Christian and Muslim) most of whom have deep mental scars by what they have witnessed and endured before being welcomed into the home.

Nordoff Robbins is the UK’s leading independent music therapy charity, working across the country offering vital support through its dedicated open access centres and alongside over 150 partner organisations.

Canon Alison Jones said: “In the Parish of Townhill, they have a music therapist who hires our church hall once a week and works with autistic children and stroke victims among others.

“The music therapist who works in Townhill is a really good community resource for such an area. She has brought real fun and laughter to our Seniors group as well as the individuals she helps and the school SDF unit.”

Sue, who nominated USPG, is a parish church chorister who regularly sings at All Saint’s Church in Oystermouth in Swansea.

A friend from her teenage church life suggested that the Sue may like to

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Gaeaf/Winter 2019 Cymuned 17

changing many home and abroad get involved with the United Society for Partnerships in the Gospel (USPG) three years ago when the current USPG representative stepped down.

She said: “As the Bishop’s Nominee, I represent the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon - Archbishop John - and attend the USPG conference each year which is very inspiring.

"I have attended two conferences so far, and met such a broad spectrum of people from around the Anglican Communion.

"I now have a much better understanding of global challenges through this.”

Part of Sue’s role includes briefing Archbishop John about the issues discussed at the conference.

Sue said: “I highlighted the

work of USPG to the Bishop and he decided to make USPG a beneficiary of his 2019 Lent Appeal."

Archbishop John presented Sue with a cheque for £1,900 to support USPG’s partnership work around the world. Sue also attends her Diocesan Conference by taking a USPG stand and talking to people about its unique partnership approach.

Rev Duncan Dormor, the General Secretary of USPG said: “I am very grateful to Sue for all that she does to support our partnership work, and would like to thank Archbishop John for his decision to support us through his Lent Appeal.”

For more information about USPG visit USPG.org.uk

The first category in the Eco Church survey is, appropriately enough, Worship and Teaching.

There is an almost bewildering array of resources available to you as you look to increase or maintain the number of hymns and songs, liturgies and prayers which celebrate God’s creation or address environmental issues.

For the paper lovers, there is a Grove worship booklet, 'How to celebrate creation' published this year, at £3.95, and a couple of other titles in that series are also relevant, one specifically for youth groups and services, one on the biblical response.

For the internet lovers: • operationnoah.org (liturgies) • greenchristian.org.uk (liturgies, prayers, playlets, sermons, hymns/songs) • https://www.churchofengland.org/more/ policy-and-thinking/our-views/environment-and-climate-change/creationtide/ creationtide (suggested bible passages, hymns) • acen.anglicancommunion.org (anglican communion environmental network – liturgies and more) This Autumn our worship leaders in Loughor put together a service on care for God's creation using confession and intercessions from the One World Week site which, while not a faithbased organisation, always has a sample service put together by a Christian member church.

There are also sketches on the site for use in a service or discussion - www.oneworldweek.org We hope to build up a stock of resources in the diocese, so please let us know if you come across (or write) a particularly helpful one which you are willing to share.

About 20 churches from different denominations (including Anglican, Methodist and Quaker) came together for a bilingual Eco Church event organised by Renew Wales in Capel-y-Nant, Clydach this November.

Presentations from Capel-y-Nant, St Paul's, Sketty and Loughor on their experiences so far were followed by workshops on the 5 ‘categories’ of the ecochurch survey, with a chance to exchange tips and resources. The three featured parishes showed the way in which environmental working can be fitted to individual circumstances, from opting for grass rather than a carpark, and planting trees to recycling parishioners’ crisp, biscuit and sweet packets to solar panels on the church hall roof.

• Gill Knight, Eco Church Working Group Chair

18 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

This is what ‘Faith in Families’ did in 2018-2019 • 265 Parent & Toddler 2 ½ hour sessions with 3,627 attendances, 255 families and 354 children.

• 459 Playgroup 2 hour sessions with 2276 attendances and 141 children.

• 305 Afterschool Club 2 hour sessions with 3089 attendances and 311 different children.

• 127 Play scheme 2 hour sessions with 2236 attendances and 386 children.

• 205 ‘Healthy Living’ 3 hour sessions • 4,000 Hot meals have been provided • 100s Of food parcels given out • 150 Domestic abuse drop-in sessions • 150 Training sessions facilitated for parents/carers • 205 Healthy living 3 hours sessions with 3135 attendances, 264 families and 439 children.

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

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Gaeaf/Winter 2019 Cymuned 19

Help make it a happy New Year for Faith in Families in 2020 Faith in Families is at the heart of Swansea and Brecon communities, inspiring children and families to believe and succeed in their lives. The future of these services is in jeopardy after the Communities First scheme, which made up nearly 80% of its funding, was scrapped. Here, trustee Rev Nigel King asks us to commit to giving the charity a brighter future in 2020

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veryone in Swansea & Brecon knows about Faith in Families. Everyone knows that it is the arm of the Church around here that helps struggling families with advice and support. Everyone knows that it runs the wonderful Community Cwtches that change lives.

But there may be some things about ‘Faith in Families’ that you don’t know.

Did you know that each Christmas Faith in Families hands out redundancy notices to their workers? You see, the money to pay them in the following year cannot be guaranteed in December.

Some Christmas bonus!

How can this be? Well: Faith in Families has no guaranteed income stream. The money for its life-affirming projects comes mainly from grant-awarding bodies that want to keep control. Many of these are Government departments. So they award time-limited grants for very specific things. When those things are done Faith Families has to make a new application for money to do them next year. And of course, money is tight these days.

There is no regular source of income.

Imagine you had no regular flow of income.

No salary. No pension. No interest payments from savings. Imagine that you had, nevertheless, to look after hundreds of very needy people. Are you good at imagining? If you are, you will understand the problem.

And you will understand why we are asking for generous Christian people to contribute to an income stream to support those Community Cwtches.

We want you to set up a standing order with your bank. It would be lovely if it could be

£10 a month. Or £5 a month. But the amount isn’t so important. What is important is that it would be regular income. So Faith in Families can make plans and offer its staff security.

We are looking for £100,000 regular income for 2020 – a bit over £8,000 a month.

Does that sound a lot? Perhaps, but if all the worshippers in Swansea & Brecon gave £2 a month that would more or less do it.

Of course, many of you will not be able to make such a commitment, so if we are to make our target some of you are going to have to give a bit more.

Come on! Isn’t that what our Christian belief is all about? Helping children and families deal with chaotic lives so they can share, laugh, eat and have fun together.

P.S. We know that you already give to lots of charities. We know that you have to pay for the repairs to the church roof. Jesus knows all about repairing roofs. Well they had to repair that roof in Capernaum, didn’t, they? After the paralysed man was let down through it?

But Jesus also cared about children. And he cared a lot about those finding it difficult to look after themselves.

Of course you may not be in position to commit to a regular payment but would still like to contribute.

Here’s how you do it: Visit http://www.faithinfamilies.wales/ donate.html and return completed standing order forms to Teilo's Community Cwtch, 62 Cheriton Cres, Portmead, Swansea SA5 5LA. If you would like to know more about Faith in Families, or would like to get involved, email admin@faithinfamilies.wales or call 01792 588487.

20 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

£1m hub project gets off the ground but needs your help

W

e brought you news of St Thomas Church in Swansea’s £1m community hub transformation, and now work has begun on phase two of the exciting project.

As well as a place of worship, St Thomas’ – in the Eastside of the city – will also become home to Baby Basics, a volunteer-led project aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby, the local foodbank and Credit Union.

It will also house a hall, a not-forprofit community café which will provide opportunities for young people to develop skills, and toilets and shower facilities for Swansea Night Shelter users.

Work has now begun on the new mezzanine floor which will create a worship space on the first floor, creating space downstairs for the hall, café and somewhere to house the different organisations and activities based in the church.

More than £500,000 of the £1m needed for the three-phase project has been raised so far – a decision on a bid to the National Lottery’s Communities Fund will be made in January – and has involved the whole community.

“There’s still a lot more to do,” said Rev Steve Bunting, vicar of St Thomas’. “We’ve had amazing support from a range of organisations and a £250,000 grant from Welsh Government.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of the teachers and parents at St Thomas School.

They held a fundraising night which raised over £3,000 and independently two other parents raised an additional £600 for the ongoing work of the church.”

The project – which has also received grants from the National Churches Trust, Cadw and the Enovert Community Trust – is being managed by the same team behind Teilo’s Community Cwtch at St Teilo’s Church in the city.

“We already run Baby Basics, a foodbank and credit union – as well as providing free community breakfasts and lunches, opening our doors for the night shelter and large-scale events for our local schools – but this will allow us to bring them all together under one roof,” Rev Steve said.

“The community café will offer opportunities for people from the night shelter – and people who have left schools without any qualifications – to develop new skills, and it will be a place to hold our breakfasts and Christmas lunches.

“The hall will be available for hire to the community and the catering facilities will mean people can get married upstairs and have their reception downstairs.”

To help with fundraising – and for those who have a connection to the church – there is a Friends of St Thomas group.

You can find out more about becoming a friend at facebook.com/ FriendsofStThomasSwansea

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Gaeaf/Winter 2019 Cymuned 21

Gwersi carolau Nadolig ar gyfer ein canolbwynt

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all y Nadolig fod yn gyfnod prysur iawn i lawer o bobl am wahanol resymau, yn arbennig mewn eglwysi gydag amrywiaeth o bethau yn mynd ymlaen ynddynt.

Dydy pobl ddim yn gwybod os ydyn nhw’n mynd neu’n dod. Er bod y sylw hwn yn cwympo’n ysgafn o’n gwefusau, mae meddwl o ddifri am garolau Nadolig yn achosi cwestiwn pwysig a diddorol i godi am fynd neu ddod. Mae carolau Nadolig yn gofyn i ni wneud y ddau. Mae rhai’n gofyn i ni ddod i Fethlehem, tra bod eraill yn gofyn i ni fynd i Fethlehem. Ydyn ni, neu bobl eraill, wedi cyrraedd neu beidio yn ein barn ni? Mae carolau Nadolig yn cynorthwyo i ni weithio allan agweddau ar gyfer ein hunain, ar gyfer eraill, ac ar gyfer ein gweithgareddau yn ystod y Nadolig fel Cristnogion.

Gyda rhai o garolau, dyn ni’n annog eraill i ddod i Fethlehem: ‘O deuwch ffyddloniaid...dewch i Fethlehem.’

Efallai yma, dyn ni’n ystyried ein hunain fel y bobl sydd wedi cyrraedd eisoes, yn sefyll yn y canol, a mae

eisiau ar bobl eraill gyrraedd lle dyn ni’n sefyll. Fel Cristnogion, gwelwn ein hunain fel y bobl sydd yn gwarchod y Preseb er lles eraill. Er hynny, mae rhai o garolau eraill yn dweud wrthon ni ein bod ni ddim wedi cyrraedd yn y man eto: ‘Awn i Fethlem, bawb dan ganu.’ Dyn ni ymysg y bobl sydd eisiau arnynt gael eu harwain i ble mae Crist yn gorwedd yn y Preseb.

Er ein bod ni’n meddwl ein bod ni ar ganol popeth, dyn ni wedi gwneud camsyniad i ni feddwl fel hwn. Dyn ni ar daith, fel pob un arall.

Dyna pam mae rhai o carolau’n gofyn i ni ddod, yn lle gofyn i bobl eraill ddod aton ni: ‘O deued pob Cristion i Fethlem yr awron...’ Mae llawer o bethau sydd eisiau arnon ni ddysgu o hyd am Dduw’n mynd yn ddyn, a mae rhai o garolau Gymraeg yn enwedig yn siarad am holl waith Crist, a nid ei Enedigaeth yn unig. Y cam cyntaf ar hyd y ffordd tuag at Fethlehem yw tawelu ein hunain a’n bywydau er mwyn gwrando’n well: ‘bugeiliaid sydd yn oedi’n syn i wrando’r anthem dlos,’

fel mae W R Nicholas wedi ysgrifennu.

Mae nifer o garolau’n cynorthwyo i ni weld y daeth neges yr Angylion i bawb a wrandawodd, pwy bynnag oeddent, a nid i gymunedau Ffydd sydd yn credu eu bod nhw wedi cyrraedd yn eu syniadau ar gyfer y pethau hyn.

Mae rhai o garolau’n gweld Bethlehem fel agwedd yn ein meddyliau yn fwy na lle yn hanes y byd: ‘Wele, cawsom y Meseia...Frodyr, dewch, llawenhewch.’ ‘Henffych, iti, faban sanctaidd... o ymuned daearolion...’ Os ydy pobl yn gallu addoli ac yn llawenychu gyda’u gilydd, mae gobaith i’r byd, a bydd tangnefedd Crist yn bresennol ym mhob man. Dyna gred rhai o garolau, lle gofynnwn i Grist aros gyda ni ble bynnag dyn ni yn ein bywydau i ni deimlo ei bresenoldeb gyda ni: ‘tyrd atom ni, ac aros di, Emanŵel, ein Duw.’ Er ein bod ni’n credu bod Crist yn preswylio gyda ni, mae carolau Nadolig yn achosi i ni ofyn os oes taith ffydd gyda ni o hyd.

Canon Tim Hewitt Ficer Ystalyfera

22 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Mega muddy to pitch perfect Archbishop John has officially opened St Mary’s Church in Wales Primary School’s new multi-use games area.

The Archbishop was joined by pupils, staff, governors and others at the Brynmawr school, and also planted a tree to mark the occasion.

Headteacher Darren Jones said: “This playground is a great facility.

It’s not just for this generation of pupils in St Mary’s school today but for the many future generations and it’s been a great partnership between the school, PTA, the governing body, the diocese and the local authority.”

The new games area is proving a hit with pupils too.

One said: “In the mornings when we used to come up here it used to be mega muddy and now we can play football, netball, anything up here.”

How the world’s greatest try

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his is Gareth Edwards … what a score! The words of the wonderful Cliff Morgan: the try scored by the great Gareth Edwards, the match the All Blacks against the Barbarians in 1973.

Often described as ‘the greatest try of all time’ - 90 seconds of pure magic that can bring tears to your eyes and a lump to your throat. If you can’t remember it then watch it again on YouTube.

That footage has been raising cheers in workshops around the diocese over the last few months and most recently at the Diocesan Conference. You can’t help but get inspired by it. (It may also have something to do with a great Welsh legend scoring the try!)

Working together The question I ask at the end is ‘who made the most important contribution to that try?’ The answers will

come in and there’s always a great range of suggestions – in my mind the right answer of course is Phil Bennet’s outrageous and ‘give-yougoosebumps’ sidesteps! The point is that they are all right – every member of that team made a vital contribution whether with ball in hand or not. A great demonstration of the power of working together, each person making their unique contribution, whether headline grabbing or hidden hard graft. Paul writing to the Ephesians puts it like this: From him (Jesus) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4: 17)

Generosity Something else caught my eye – there were seven current or future international captains in that team. They gave up something important, they played for nothing, gave their time freely, travelled long distances. They were generous in sharing their talents for a great cause – they wanted to play for the Ba Bas against the All Blacks.

And for us? A generosity of spirit and action, sharing our buildings, time, talents, money, ideas; letting go of things for the greater good. As the book of Acts puts it: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32)

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Gaeaf/Winter 2019 Cymuned 23

is inspiring ministry areas Encouraging The crowd lifts the team: their cheers help the ball across the line.

Rivals become teammates, country loyalties blurred for a few hours.

Beating the All Blacks, playing great rugby unites them.

Early in the try-scoring move the Barbarians are in a tough position on their own goal line - surely defence is the right option – but they run with the ball, they attack – the crowd roars, risks are taken and ‘that’ try scoring move begins. We face big challenges and more than ever we need to encourage one another, to cheer each other on, to see strengths in each other and use them. In Hebrews we read: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. (Hebrews 10: 24)

Trying new things The Barbarians are known for playing attacking rugby – not for them a ‘sensible’ game plan rather the freedom to have a go, to turn defence into attack, to take risks.

They have a tradition of picking one player in their team who is not an international. They want to encourage new talent to emerge. Not many teams would have scored that try, they wouldn’t have dared to ‘have a go’.

We know that we can’t carry on only doing what we’ve always done – we are going to have to experiment and try new things which means sometimes we’ll fail and sometimes we’ll succeed. God’s words to Joshua encourage us: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ (Joshua 1:9)

The future’s bright What a great try that was, it will live long in my memory. The game was different then - just watch the clip and see how many high tackles JPR Williams survived!

The scoring was different and Cardiff Arms Park is no longer the home for internationals.

Those days have gone, they were great, truly great. They won’t come back, they can only ever be fond memories.

That can make us feel sad when we look behind us – or it can inspire us as we look forward. Rugby lives on … the recent World Cup has proved that. It is a different game now, yet somehow the same. It is a different world now, but the same God. And the church we are part of …

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

24 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

‘Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the

God’s gifts help to free mothers from poverty

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t Christmas, Christians come together to remember how, against all odds, one mother’s bravery and devotion brought her family out of danger. She enabled God’s message of hope, love and peace to enter the world.

Today, millions of women around the world are raising children in the toughest of circumstances due to poverty and prejudice.

In India, Ranjita, 30, started accompanying her mother as a manual scavenger when she was just nine-years-old. As a manual scavenger, she endured 10-15 hours of degrading work a day that involved the cleaning, carrying and removing of human excrement from latrines and sewers – by hand. In return she earned scraps of stale bread and a few rupees (as little as 20 rupees (23p) a month). As a Dalit – the most excluded of the caste system – she was poor and marginalised, and had little opportunity to escape the systemic cycle of poverty she found herself in.

Ranjita is the focus of Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal this year; for with ARUN, Christian Aid’s partner in India, Ranjita has learnt that she has rights and has managed to secure a government grant. This has enabled her to start a sewing and tailoring business. Through her God-given gifts, Ranjita has managed to escape the awful poverty she faced.

She is even able to send her youngest daughter, Soniya, to school – the first of her children to do so.

In terms of violence against women, gender equality and rights, today

women are facing increasing barriers.

Things are not going forward – they’re going backwards and women and mothers are often denied the chance to use their gifts to the full.

This Christmas, help mothers like Ranjita use their God-given gifts to escape poverty, and create new hope and a new future for themselves and their children.

Together we can change lives.

To help you organise an event for Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal in your church, a number of great resources have been produced. To download them or to donate to the appeal, please visit https://www. christianaid.org. uk/christmasappeal

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Gaeaf/Winter 2019 Cymuned 25

Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.’

(James 1:17)

Doniau Duw yn rhyddhau mamau o dlodi

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ros y Nadolig, daw Cristnogion at ei gilydd i gofio sut y gwnaeth dewrder a defosiwn un fam sicrhau ei bod hi a’i theulu yn dianc perygl. Galluogodd neges gobaith, cariad a heddwch Duw i gyrraedd y byd.

Heddiw, mae miliynau o ferched o amgylch y byd yn magu plant mewn sefyllfaoedd caled iawn oherwydd tlodi a rhagfarn.

Yn India, dechreuodd Ranjita, 30, fynd gyda’i mam i gasglu sbwriel pan oedd ond yn naw oed.

Fel casglwr sbwriel, dioddefodd ddyddiau 10-15 awr o waith israddol oedd yn cynnwys glanhau, cario a symud carthion dynol o doiledau a charthffosiau - a hynny i gyda’i dwylo. Fel cyflog, enillodd dipyn o fara sych a chydig o rupees (mor isel â 20 rupee (23c) y mis). Fel Dalit - yr isaf a’r mwyaf gwrthodedig yn system cast India roedd yn dlawd ac ar y cyrion, a doedd ganddi fawr o gyfle i allu dianc y cylch systemig o dlodi yr oedd wedi ei dal ynddo.

Ranjita gaiff y sylw yn Apêl Nadolig Cymorth Cristnogol eleni, oher-

wydd gyda help partner Cymorth Cristnogol yn India, ARUN, mae Ranjita wedi dysgu fod ganddi hawliau a cheisiodd am grant gan y llywodraeth yno, a thrwy hynny cychwynnodd ei busnes gwnïo ei hun. Trwy’r doniau roddodd Duw iddi, mae Ranjita wedi llwyddo i ddianc y tlodi eithafol hwn. Mae hyd yn oed yn gallu anfon ei merch ieuengaf, Soniya, i’r ysgol - y cyntaf o’i phlant i wneud hynny.

Ble mae trais yn erbyn merched, cydraddoldeb a hawliau mewn cwestiwn, mae merched yn wynebu rhwystrau cynyddol yn y byd heddiw. Nid symud ymlaen mae pethau, ond symud at yn ôl.

Mae gan bob un o blant Duw'r gallu i newid eu bywyd er gwell ac i lwyddo mewn cymaint o ffyrdd, ac eto mae merched a mamau yn cael eu hatal rhag gwneud hynny mor aml.

Y Nadolig hwn, beth am helpu mamau fel Ranjita i ddefnyddio’r doniau roddodd Duw iddynt i ddianc rhag tlodi, a chreu gobaith a dyfodol newydd iddynt hwy eu hunain a’u plant.

Mewn byd o anghydraddoldeb ac anghyfiawnder, gyda’n gilydd gallwn newid bywydau.

I’ch helpu i gynnal Apêl Nadolig Cymorth Cristnogol yn eich eglwys mae gennym nifer o adnoddau pwrpasol. Er mwyn eu lawr lwytho neu er mwyn cyfrannu at yr apêl ewch i caid. org.uk/christmas-appeal

26 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Honouring the fallen across the diocese The diocese fell silent for this year's Remembrance Day services.

Archbishop John led prayers with Fr Steven Griffith at Brecon's Cenotaph service before giving the sermon at Swansea's Civic Remembrance Service at the city's St Mary's Church.

Members of the 1st Swansea Eastside Boys' Brigade/Girls' Association took part in St Thomas' Remembrance Sunday service and services were held across the diocese.

Photographs left and main: Angela Hewitt

Diocese commits to eco

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iocesan conference members have voted unanimously for the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon to move towards becoming an Eco Diocese.

The conference, which was held at Brecon Cathedral, "gave us huge food for thought as well as plenty of encouragement", Archbishop John said.

Eco Diocese is an initiative to encourage diocesan-level engagement with Eco Church, and promote local church participation in the scheme.

The motion stated the diocese would progress towards registration by: • Ethical investment of diocesan funds.

• Promotion of shared car use, or

public transport where possible, and sustainable transport.

• Achievement of the bronze Eco Church award level in relation to its diocesan offices.

• A policy on the environmental maintenance of vicarages.

• A routine for recording achievement.

• Getting 5% of churches to register as eco churches before December 2019.

• Getting 10% of churches to register

by Diocesan Conference 2020.

• 5% of churches gaining the bronze award by Diocesan Conference 2020.

• Embedding environmental issues within the curricula of its ongoing ministerial education.

• Scrutinising faculty applications for positive environmental action.

The conference also heard from ministry area development officer Tim Hollingdale, who gave a "snapshot of where we are and how we're going to move on from here" with ministry areas.

There was also a presentation from Faith in Families' Sharon Atkins and Dr Sian Miller about the work the charity is doing in its local communities - from the St John's Centre in Brecon to its three Swansea cwtches - and the challenges it is facing.

Conference also heard about its Brighter Futures initiative which is giving children opportunities to be the best they can be, delivering intensive support, play and learning activities for children and their parents.

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goal in conference vote Conference closed with a presentation from Open Doors’ Rev Roger Faulkner. Open Doors works in over 60 countries, supplying Bibles, training church leaders, providing practical support and emergency relief, and supporting Christians who suffer for their faith. In the UK and Ireland Open Doors works to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilising prayer, support and action among Christians.

Archbishop John said the conference had "given us some extremely interesting and some very challenging things".

"The conference unanimously passed a motion about care for the environment, the importance of us becoming an Eco Diocese. It's easy

for us to tick the box and say we care about the Creation, but not so easy for us to understand what we can do, but we were given lots of extremely helpful advice.

"Tim Hollingdale presented us with some very interesting and very insightful information about the response his role gets around the diocese. He reminded us of just how rich a diocese we are in terms of talent, resources and opportunity."

Describing Faith in Families as "in the DNA of the diocese", Archbishop John said: "It was a very challenging and interesting presentation about the way in which, as a Church through them, we engage with some of the most deprived communities in our diocesan area.

"There are huge needs, where families and young people are struggling, and statutory services don't always provide what is needed and where, frankly, others have to start to fill the gaps."

Rev Roger Faulkner's presentation had, he said, "reminded us that there are huge areas of the world where it is a crime to be a Christian, where people risk their lives for following the ways of the Lord Jesus.

"Those two presentations, Faith in Families and Open Doors, reminded us sometimes of just how easy it is to forget what a challenging life people in other places lead and maybe how comfortable we are in the way we lead our lives."

28 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Vicarage is fit for the future after ‘amazing’ revamp

W

hen Rhayader Vicarage became vacant in August 2017, Swansea and Brecon’s Diocesan Inspector Simon Holland saw an opportunity.

The property was starting to look dated and was, according to Simon, in need of major refurbishment: “We knew that the roof definitely needed replacing, as well as the wall ties and windows. The size of the property also wasn’t quite right, as the kitchen was very small, and the fourth bedroom was more of a box room. It certainly wasn’t of the same standard as the other vicarages we’ve bought since I became Diocesan Inspector, and I thought we needed to do something radical.”

Simon considered selling the vicarage and buying a replacement but couldn’t find any suitable alternatives: “The current vicarage is a stone’s throw from the church, and it’s been known as the vicarage for many years. As it’s one of our ‘key properties’ I didn’t want to just get rid of the house when it has served this ministry area so well in the past.”

Instead, Simon suggested that the diocese invest in the current property, including the addition of a two-storey extension which would house a new kitchen downstairs with a larger fourth bedroom upstairs. After many months in the design and planning stages, work began early in 2019, and the new extension, roof, wall ties and windows have now been completed, as well as a new kitchen, bathroom and bedroom inside the property.

Simon was also concerned that energy efficiency should be considered throughout the design process and is keen to stress the vicarage’s green credentials: “We’ve thermally upgraded the whole building, not just the new extension, by covering it in an insulated render. We’ve also installed a new energy-efficient boiler and put LED light fittings in, so the house has a high energy performance rating. Making sure that our parsonages are sustainable and cost-effective to run has been one of my priorities for a long time, and I’m really glad that we’ve invested in Rhayader Vicarage to make it one of our flagship ‘green’ properties.”

Rev Lance Sharpe, the new priest in charge of Gwastedyn, is also thrilled with the house: “I started my new post February 2019 but I’ve been in rented accommodation in Rhayader, so I’m really looking forward to moving into the vicarage. I saw the house before the work was done and the difference now is amazing – it’s been brought into the 21st century. I really feel like it’s been future-proofed for my successors.”

Although it’s been a lengthy process, Simon is glad that the diocese agreed to support his proposal and provide extra funding for the vicarage: “This project has taken a long time, especially in the planning stages, but it’s definitely been worth it. The vicarage has to serve a large area, and I think that now we’ve done the work the house is more than up to the task.”

Brecon Cathedral has welcomed Tawe Members had a tour of the cathedral

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The ‘best Messy Church ever’ as children witness baptism of baby Alexander

Isaf Ministry Area members on their pilgrimage. with Wynn Davies and celebrated a Eucharist

There was a Messy Church session with a difference at Llwynderw in Swansea, thanks to baby Alexander.

Anneliese and Andrew Davis, who regularly bring sons Sebastian and Alexander to Messy Church, asked if Alexander might be baptised during the parish's September session.

Felicity Barrow, the parish’s Messy Church co-ordinator, said: “What a wonderful afternoon we had: a great expression of how we are all called to be part of Jesus’ family and a great way to show that we belong to the worldwide family of God. “Assistant Priest Rev Hywel Griffiths was in charge of the liturgy and the rest of the service was a compilation of suggestions by Anneliese and Andrew and input from the Messy Church team.

“The hall was a hive of activity, with helpers making candles to emphasise the importance of the giving of light at baptism. We had edible candles to reinforce this topic and to demonstrate the passage from darkness to light.

“We also supervised the making of cards to give to Alexander as a keepsake of this memorable day.

“We made friendship bracelets and crosses to take home, to remind us that Jesus is the best friend we will have, that He will never leave us and that He is near us wherever we are.”

Moving to the main event, the baptism followed the liturgy but involved everyone.

“It was very special to see all the children gathered around the font, which Hywel had brought to the front of the church, swirling their hands though the water before it was blessed, and used to welcome Alexander into the family of the church,” Felicity said.

“Alexander was perfectly cooperative as his parents and godparents confirmed their promises for his future.

“One little boy proclaimed that this was the best Messy Church ever. As the co-ordinator I am inclined to agree.

“The church was full of families who support Messy Church regularly and many newcomers at the start of term.

“We were also blessed to have with us some of the founder members of our church who have been engaged with children’s ministry over decades and we cannot thank them enough for their practical and prayerful legacy."

30 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Otis praises the people of Wales for their kindness as HBTSR event thanks helpers

O

tis Bolamu and Kirsty Williams were the speakers at this year’s Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR) open meeting.

HBTSR is celebrating its fourth year – it was founded to provide a local response to the refugee crisis – and used the event at Brecon’s St Mary’s Church to thank some of the many people - including Ysgol Trefonnen and Archdeacon Griffiths Church in Wales primary schools who have helped to support its work.

Otis was forced to flee his home in the Democratic Republic of Congo when he was suspected by the government of spying for the opposition while working for the electoral commission.

He sought asylum in Britain and was settled in Swansea when, on December 19 last year, he was detained by the Home Office and threatened with deportation on Christmas day.

Members of the community in both Brecon and Swansea, Archbishop John, AMs and MPs and many others joined together to protest about his detention and he was released in January of this year.

Otis used his speech to thank the people of Wales for their kindness and spoke about his experience of detention which he had found degrading and terrifying. He still awaits a resolution to his request for refuge but continues to volunteer in

many charity shops and groups in Swansea.

HBTSR’s Ailsa Dunn said: “When Otis was eventually moved to a more public part of the detention centre he saw his photo on TV. The officers had seen this and asked him how he was so famous and he said he didn't know but that he had good friends and wasn’t forgotten.

“He thanked HBTSR for all that we do for him and others. Perhaps most important to people taken into detention is the knowledge that they are not forgotten and that there is always hope.”

Kirsty Williams AM gave an update on progress within the Welsh Government on making Wales a Nation of Sanctuary, saying that “if a small area like ours can do so much then there is hope that Wales as a whole can become a truly welcoming nation”.

Progress is being made with Restart – helping people with refugee status into work – she said, with improved access to ESOL, fighting destitution by using the discretionary money councils have, improving housing and legal representation and continuing to lobby central government to alter policies that make asylum seeking even harder than it would otherwise be.

The meeting was opened by HBTSR chair Rev Margaret Blake, who paid tribute to “the schools, communities, organisations,

Otis at the meeting. Right, Kirsty Williams supermarkets who donate food to our welcome days and countless individuals” who have supported the group’s work.

“In the past 12 months we have held 12 ‘Welcome Days’, bringing refugees and asylum seekers to this beautiful part of Wales, offering respite and friendship – not just from group members but also from local communities.

“Seven men and women from the Swansea drop-in centres were hosted by our members so that they could experience the pleasures of being volunteer stewards at the Hay Literary Festival.

“Thanks to the generosity of one of our members who has a holiday

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and Ailsa Dunn presenting a certificate to Powys Council leader Rosemarie Harris cottage here in Brecon, we have, over the year, supported families (21 adults and 30 children) to have a short holiday break.

“People seeking sanctuary are understandably very anxious about attending official hearings for their asylum cases and so, alongside Swansea-based volunteers and friends, some of our members are available to accompany them. That companionship is very much appreciated by the person seeking sanctuary and it does seem that barristers and judges take note when people are supported in this way.

“And, thanks to grant funding, we were able to hold Project Get Together for the second year running. This

project was able to bring together up to 80 young people from the three South Wales cities and those in foster homes across south and west Wales ( both those who had lived in the UK all their lives and those seeking asylum/ refuge ) for a residential weekend of outdoor activities run by PGL.” In the four years since the group began, it has sent goods and money to help refugees in this country and overseas. Donations of clothing, bedding and household goods are received at ‘drop-off' points in Hay and Brecon, sorted by members and sent to Swansea for distribution.

It also has a system that passes on bikes, no longer required by their

owners, to the drop-in centres in Newport, Cardiff and Swansea. There the bikes are renovated by the refugees themselves, who learn valuable maintenance skills in the process before being given the bikes to keep.

As well as paying for the coaches for its welcome days, the funds it raises are passed to different groups and organisations which are working more directly with people seeking sanctuary. These include Swansea Asylum Seekers Support, The Sanctuary, Newport, Sharetawe - which finds accommodation for those who are homeless – and the Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team.

HBTSR also administers a hardship fund, working on information and advice from the workers at the dropin centres, making money available to help cover the purchase of nappies, feminine hygiene products and men’s toiletries as well as for food and other essentials. It has also made money available to pay for bus passes to enable people to attend full-time study at college – in particular, their English classes.

“The meeting was fascinating and moving ” Ailsa said. “Our small group has achieved big things and most importantly gives hope to some people who might otherwise feel hopeless.”

• Anyone wanting to learn more about HBTSR can visit https://hbtsr. cityofsanctuary.org

32 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Remembering Rhydian as statue of saint gets go-ahead Brittany's Valley of the Saints will have a new addition next year after funding was secured for the statue of the Welsh saint. Fr Tim Ardouin, vicar of Llanrhidian Church on Gower, tells us more

I

n the Summer of 2016, Yves Le Therisien, Bishop’s Assistant and Director of the Diocesan Spiritual Centre in the diocese of Quimper et Léon, arrived in Llanrhidian with news that St Rhydian was remembered in Brittany and that there was a desire to commission a statue of the saint for La Vallée des Saints in France.

On July 19, Yves and his family joined me and some of the Christian people of Llanrhidian at their usual Tuesday morning prayer at St Rhydian and St Illtyd’s.

Later, in the garden of local residents, Richard and Elizabeth Verge, and then at Arthur’s Stone up on Cefn Bryn, we discussed the plan while playing Celtic music together, having happily found the music of our ancestors was still being carried in each other’s hearts!

Though Yves (whose surname, Le Therisen, is a French translation of Rhydian) and I (my surname is French of course) kept in touch, it was just at the end of October 2019, that Yves sent the news that the funding for the statue had been secured and that the artwork is beginning.

Rhydian was a Welsh saint who crossed the Channel and became established on the north coast of continental Brittany.

He later became a bishop of Yaudet in 532.

At the moment, how Rhydian will be depicted is yet to be discerned. It is likely a dragon will be involved though, says Yves, who camped near the 'Wurm' (Viking word meaning dragon), otherwise

(but wrongly) known as 'Worm’s Head'.

The people of Llanrhidian have been invited to attend the unveiling of the statue on August 1, 2020, with the villagers of Lanloup offering them to stay in their homes. I will bless the statue that day.

There are currently around 50 statues standing on the grass, representing the monks who came over from Ireland, Wales or Cornwall to bring Christianity to Brittany. Year by year, new creations are erected in the memory of these saints, each bearing the signature of a different sculptor.

In 50 years’ time there will be 1,000 of them. St Tugdual, St Hernin, St Gildas, St Brieuc and St Malo were the first of the stone saints to illustrate the legendary history of Brittany.

Guides are on hand to tell you all about their mysteries. You’ll find that everyone you meet here – whether a guide, sculptor, sponsor or visitor – is full of enthusiasm for this incredible project, now a permanent tourist attraction with trails, markets, storytelling and much more.

It’s not just the statues that impress visitors and fire the imagination. The valley also has a Gaulish fountain, with waters that are supposed to cure animals, with a lovely chapel standing above it. In the middle of the stone saints, looking down over the valley, are the ancient earthworks of a motte-and-bailey castle and its moat. From this height, the views span the horizon, taking in the summits of the Monts d’Arrée mountains and the forest of Fréau.

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A

s the nights draw in and we head towards winter, now is the time to start thinking about winterproofing your church, using a few simple tips.

Gutters and downpipes Although many people wait until spring to clear gutters and downpipes, it’s worth doing this in the autumn, as blocked gutters can overflow and cause water to penetrate pointing and stonework. When temperatures are at their coldest any water trapped in the stonework can freeze and cause ‘frost-shattering’, destroying the face of the stone.

And while there's a reluctantance to clean gutters too often because of the cost of scaffolding, it’s worth exploring some alternative cleaning techniques such as the SkyVac system, where leaves and debris can be sucked out by a special vacuum cleaner positioned at ground level.

Draught-proofing Heat loss is most common around windows and doors in older buildings, particularly since wood tends to warp and move over time. But even if windows and doors can’t be replaced because of their historic value they can be made weather-tight using cheap materials such as compression seals (used for sealing narrow, even gaps) and wiper seals (for the moving parts of a window that slide against each other). These small measures will also help your building win an Eco Church award (ecochurch.arocha.org.uk).

Boiler and water maintenance All churches should have an annual boiler service carried out by a Gas Safe or OFTEC registered engineer (safegassaferegister.co.uk or oftec.org.uk), which will ensure your boiler is working safely. Flush radiators to make sure your heating is at maximum efficiency and lag water pipes to prevent freezing. Locate your stop tap so the water supply can be turned off in an emergency.

Paths/steps Special attention should be given to maintaining paths and steps during the autumn and winter, starting with a regular programme of leaf sweeping from September onwards. Dead leaves are particularly dangerous on flagstone paths, which can become slippery when wet, and it’s common for sludgy moss and algae to grow on shadier paths throughout the year.

When temperatures drop towards freezing, treat paths and steps with grit or salt, either before nightfall or early in the morning. It’s also worth considering handrails in steep or hazardous areas, for which grant funding of up to £3,000 is available from the Swansea and Brecon Churches and Pastoral Committee (contact kesseymour@churchinwales.org.uk).

34 Cymuned Gaeaf/Winter 2019

Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

Time travellers cross age divide A new intergenerational event has been launched by Children, Youth and Families (Greater Brecon).

Families were invited to attend the Travel Back in Time event at Brecon Cathedral’s Heritage Centre.

This event involved treasures from ‘days gone by’. Each station included a suitcase of items from the 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s including shopping, travel, leisure and holidays.

Families could open the suitcases and experience what life used to be like.

Organiser Clare Morgan said: “Children were intrigued by the wooden toys, paper bags, baskets, string bags and homemade items. Everyone took part in creating a memory tablecloth together by drawing something that had sparked their interest and each child made their own family tree to take home. Thanks to Brecknock Museum & Art Gallery and Brecon Cathedral for supporting this event. We hope to run a similar event during February half term.”

Cher steps up for charity fundraiser The manager of St Mary's Church in Brecon's Tower Café raised just under £750 for Children in Need in a 'Dance-a-thon'.

Cher Kingsley danced non-stop for 12 hours - starting at 6am in the morning and finishing at 6pm. The café staff were on hand to support her and visitors and regular customers contributed to the end total.

‘Wonderful’ saint’s community comes

S

t Michael’s Church in Lower Loughor has marked its saint’s day in style, with music, a clean-up and the blessing of the local lifeboat.

The Gwyl Mabsant is the occasion when churches remember their saint’s day, so the weekend was held around St Michael’s Day. This year’s Mabsant started with a service of thanksgiving with a difference, organised in memory of John Charles Williams, the man who 90 years ago, in 1929, gifted Parc Williams to the people of Loughor.

Children from Casllwchwr Primary School and Tre Uchaf Primary sang and then took part in a question and answer session with Rod Lewis, St Michael’s Churchwarden, playing the part of JC Williams and local Lower Loughor Labour Councillor Christine Richards, playing his housekeeper.

The children heard how a local man had made his fortune in America and, in turn, gave back to the community.

Following the service, Cllr William Evans, Mayor of Llwchwr Town Coun-

cil, led the children outside to place a floral tribute on the family grave, which has recently been professionally cleaned free of charge for the community by Tree & Gubb monumental stonemasons and Inkin & Deans funeral directors.

Everyone then walked the short distance to Parc Williams to see the special information panel about JC Williams, and finally into the pavilion for refreshments, including a birthday cake for each school, to celebrate the Friends of Parc Williams 10th year of supporting the park.

“This has been a great opportunity to inform local people and the school children about their locality and about the person who founded Parc Williams,” said Cllr Richards.

Also, as part of the celebration weekend, St Michael’s Church held a successful coffee morning to raise funds for Macmillan, a litter-pick was held along the foreshore as part of Keep Wales Tidy’s Clean Coasts and an evening of music was held at Loughor

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Chaos returns to cathedral

day celebrations as together in thanks

Boating Club, courtesy of Captain Cat and the Sailors. More music came from Loughor Town Band which held its annual concert at Loughor Welfare Hall.

The final event of the Mabsant weekend

was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Loughor Inshore Rescue.

A large crowd gathered at the lifeboat station to support the crew members who are all unpaid volunteers and walked with the lifeboat to nearby St Michael’s Church.

The lifeboat procession was led by Lord Mayor Peter Black and Llwchwr Town Council Mayor, William Evans, who had both visited the lifeboat station and met the crew prior to the procession.

Outside of St Michael’s Church, Rev Adrian Morgan led the prayers and blessed the lifeboat and her crew. This was followed by a thanksgiving service in the church, where the pupils of Casllwchwr and Treuchaf once again took an active part in the service to thank Inshore Rescue.

Cllr Richards said: “It was a wonderful weekend. We had a variety of activities where local community groups and community leaders came together to celebrate the generosity of a previous Loughor resident for the gift of our park, and to thank all those in the community, especially the Inshore Rescue Team, who continue to give up their time freely for the benefit of others.”

Cathedral Chaos returns to Brecon Cathedral on Saturday, May 2, 2020.

This free, family, fun day will have lots on offer including craft, music and activities.

It takes place from 10am-1pm.

Last year’s Cathedral Chaos was a huge success with more than 200 people attending and providing excellent feedback on the day. Organiser Clare Morgan said: "Children, Youth and Families are grateful for the support of the Dean and cathedral staff as well as the dedicated volunteers who helped ensure the event ran smoothly and was an exciting experience for children, youth and families.

"We can’t tell you everything that we have planned just yet but Archbishop John will visit the event again this year and the theme will be ‘Noah’s Ark’."

You can follow Children, Youth and Families (Greater Brecon) on Facebook @cyfgreaterbrecon for regular updates leading up to the event or email claremorgan@ churchinwales.org.uk for further information. There is a poster on the back page of Cymuned.

Cymuned is produced and distributed by the Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Board of Finance, a company registered in England and Wales. Š Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Board of Finance