2 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
Meet diocese's newly-licensed readers Lizbeth and Elizabeth
6&7
Remembrance should signal our intent to grow more like Christ
E Open the Book celebrates two anniversaries at special service
14&15
Welcome for new Mothers' Union diocesan president
22&23 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.
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lsewhere in this edition of Cymuned you will read something of the celebrations which marked the 60th anniversary of the re-consecration of St Mary’s, Swansea, following its near complete destruction by German bombing in the Second World War; and, with the profoundly moving observance of the 75th anniversary D-Day landings also fresh in mind, much remembering and thanksgiving has been happening, both locally, nationally and internationally. Remembering and giving thanks are elements that figure frequently in our lives, both personally and as a church, and we must do both properly: Real remembering and thanking, perhaps I should say proper remembrance, happens when we not only engage in calling to mind, in the present, some past events, but when we allow our doing so to affect our plans and hopes for the future. Much of the remembrance that happens around November 11 each year can be hollow if it doesn’t truly lead us to live locally in peace, community and harmony with our neighbours; and reflection on its catastrophic cost to any number of nations can become meaningless if it doesn’t lead to those nations and their leaders really getting down to a real commitment to international co-operation, respect and the courageous pursuit of justice.
So, for us as a church, remembering and thanking for the past must mean re-capturing and refreshing in our own time some of the hopes and longings felt in the hearts and minds of those who have gone before us in the faith, recognising that they were not, I hope, concerned with preserving an institution, but growing new disciples for Christ. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we do it ‘in remembrance’, and we must do it with the clear intention that doing it properly means allowing that sacramental act to affect the way we live out our present and our future, growing more like Christ each day. To fail in that endeavour is to fail him whom we claim to be remembering. Remember, thank and grow.
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e welcome into the ordained ministry all those ordained as Deacon and Priests in the Cathedral this Petertide, trusting that their ministries will be welcomed, blessed and enriched in parishes and communities where they must seek to bring to the minds of others a true remembrance of God’s love visible and living in Jesus Christ. • Priests embrace their new roles: pages 4&5
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Be willing to listen, Archbishop says in presidential address Be ready and willing to listen, even to things you don’t want to hear, Archbishop John said in his Presidential Address to Governing Body at Cardiff's City Hall. Listening to each other attentively and respectfully was a key part of our faith and church life, enabling us to walk willingly together, especially when faced with difficult, divisive and challenging issues. Archbishop John said he hoped his addresses at Governing Body would encourage the wider Church, through its members. He said: “Listening properly in the context of our corporate faith and the development of our individual faith-journeys can be demanding, and it can be unsettling. This is because it’s more than simply hearing; that’s a physiological process, the mere registering, by our brains, of random, external sounds. “Listening is the conscious engagement of mind, soul and spirit with what is heard. And that conscious engagement happens by means of respectful and gracious attentiveness of mind, soul and spirit. The result can, and sometimes should, challenge our preconceptions, it might require us to make a change or lead us to recognise that at least we ought to be ready to consider a change. And let me assure you that I have no particular change in mind – I am simply attempting to state what I firmly believe to be a key principle of the way in which we should conduct ourselves and do our business as a church.” Archbishop John said listening respectfully was part of what it meant to follow Christ. He referred to two passages in St Matthew’s Gospel: chapter 11, verses 28-29 about taking up Christ’s yoke and chapter 16, verse 24, about taking up Christ’s cross.
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he diocese is welcoming two new priests at this year’s ordinations service, and they will be familiar to many. Petrina Lodge and Sue Rumbelow were ordained as deacon at last year’s service and have been in training at St Padarn’s. “The Theology for Life course has been very interesting and challenging for someone like me who has no academic background, having left school at 16 with just 5 O Levels,” Sue said. “Our group, which has been meeting now for four years, have become good friends and we are able to share in the debates with openness and show the vulnerability needed for our new roles.” “Studying on the Theology for Life course has been really fascinating, giving a focus to studies and broadening understanding.,” Petrina said. “Making time for the assignments is challenging, particularly just before Christmas or Easter when we are already busy in the church, but it’s a wonderful feeling when assignments are completed and submitted. This term we are studying Christian Ethics – a very thought-provoking theme.” Sue, from Llwchwr Ministry Area in Swansea, worked at the Kingsway Surgery in Swansea for 21 years and in the surgery in Gowerton for the past 17 years, the past three years of which have been part-time in order to help with her studies and new duties within the church. “I was brought up in Brynhyfryd, going to the Congregational Church which became the United Reformed Church in Manselton (now Christwell). “I first attended an Anglican church in Port Eynon while on holiday with friends as a teenager and was blown away by the liturgy there.” After meeting husband David, who had attended St Nicholas-on-the-Hill in Townhill, Sue started to attend too and soon became rooted there, joining the choir and helping with the children’s work. “We moved to Gowerton in May 1999 and joined the congregation at St
Blessings, hopes priests embrace John’s later on that year, again joining the choir and various other activities associated with the church,” Sue said. “David is a retired secondary school teacher and we have two wonderful daughters who both live just a few minutes away. Siân is married to Chris and has a son, Ioan – the apple of my eye – and Carys, who is very happily settled with Tom." Petrina, who will serve in the Beacons and Llyn Safaddan Ministry
Area, qualified as a musician and teacher, working as an instrumental peripatetic before returning to the classroom. “I became particularly interested in special needs, using strategies learnt in my post-graduate study to be more inclusive as a class teacher. Almost by accident. But, because I wanted to develop a really inclusive school, I became headteacher of a Church of England primary school, where
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Petrina and Sue were ordained as deacons last year
Those being ordained this year are: Deacons Peter Letson, Gill Todd, David Owen, Sam Aldred, Janet Day, Meinir Ronicle, Sister Marian Priests Sue Rumbelow Petrina Lodge
and challenges as their new roles I was the special educational needs coordinator. “After several years I felt called to work with severely disabled children and young people, for most of whom music was a means of communication, so music was the pivot in many respects. I really appreciated being able to make education truly child-centred and linked with therapies: for each child’s needs to be met as fully as possible. I headed two schools for the
disability charity ‘Scope’ until just after my move to Wales.” Both are already busy in their respective churches and ministry areas and are looking forward to embracing new challenges. “My ministry is with people from all walks of life, especially the elderly and those in hospital,” Sue said. “I have enjoyed the role of honorary chaplain, first at Morriston hospital and now at Gorseinon hospital, over the past
18 months and hope to continue and expand on that to include some of the nursing and care homes in our parish and ministry area. “I also enjoy working with children, and have helped with Messy Church, Open the Book, Godly Play and Sunday school occasionally. I hope to continue my ministry and improve and expand on all aspects of my new role at St John’s and within the Llwchwr Ministry Area.” “I see my ministry as being very much supporting our local communities: providing church services that meet people’s needs; reaching out to those who are on the periphery of church; being inclusive of the elderly and young alike, and bringing the church into the community by being involved in non-church community activities,” Petrina said. "Our ministry area is beautiful, around Llangors Lake and the Beacons, very rural and spread out. I really enjoy working with our congregations, to make our church services as accessible as possible and to be inclusive of all ages. I enjoy hospital chaplaincy work, too, in between times. “I’m looking forward to some further study on ministry for the elderly and hope to bring this into my practice. I’m lucky to be part of a very supportive ministry area team which meets regularly and works well together – which is just as well with 11 churches and 12 congregations in our ministry area. “I do feel very blessed by all the training and support that the Church in Wales has provided, the guidance and friendliness of all tutors, clergy and the administration side. Thank you, St Padarn’s!”
6 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
Petra licensed in East Radnor
'Everyday face of diocese welcomes
T Petra Beresford-Webb has been licensed as Priestin-Charge of the Benefice of East Radnor. The service at St Edward’s Church in Knighton was led by Archbishop John and the procession was led by the Air Training Corps, who Rev Petra – previously Priest-in-Charge for the Irfon and Wye Valley Ministry Area – had been chaplain to. Clergy from across the diocese were in attendance, together with members of the local Baptist, Methodist and Catholics churches. Churchwardens from both East Radnor and Beacon Hill gave Petra the key to the church and led her to the bell to toll.
Join us at the showground The Royal Welsh Show is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and our chaplains will again be on duty. The show will be held on 22 - 25 July at the showground in Llanelwedd and the Cytûn tent will be open to all, with daily worship and a warm welcome.
wo new readers have been licensed at a service at Brecon Cathedral. Readers are lay people in the Church in Wales, licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work. Lizbeth Matthews, above left, of Blaenwysg Parish and Elizabeth Williams of Loughor have been studying for their new roles at St Padarn’s. Elizabeth, a former teacher, said: “After the death of my husband three years ago I became more involved in Church activities. We have a team of worship leaders and I really enjoyed writing the reflections which I read as part of a morning praise service we have once a month. “I asked the priest if I could do more and get more involved, I wasn’t sure what, and he suggested becoming a reader. That involved taking the Theology for Life course and I really enjoyed that, learning about the Church and the scriptures in more depth, especially the history of it. “It was nice to make lots of new friends at these sessions and at the residential weekend and summer school. “I’ve always gone to church. I became a bell-ringer in my teens and my husband and I went to church. We had a new vicar and he asked for volunteer worship leaders and I got more involved in that. I was doing readings and intercessions anyway, but I felt more involved when I was writing something and reading it to the congregation. “I really enjoy doing that, putting what has inspired me and give it to them and see if makes them as excited as me. I really felt a calling then to do this readership.” Lizbeth, who helps to run the family farm in Crai, said the role of reader is to be the “everyday face of faith and the Church within the community, helping to share the Gospel, not only through
teaching but also through my actions and day-to-day living”. “This process started when I did the Alpha course a few years ago and then I started to realise that it was more than just going to church on a Sunday. I also then had a clear message that I had to work with women and children so I volunteered through Girl Guiding at its world centre in Sangam working with young women and got more involved in the community. "I was already doing Rainbows/ Brownies and we started a Guides unit as well to work with young women and girls. We then started a Sunday school on a Monday called Off the Bus. "Through that we run a holiday club and we also have a coffee morning once a month.
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faith and Church' its two new readers
“I think it is important to have an opportunity to talk to children and young people about Christ but that this needs to be carried on throughout life into more mature years. "Hopefully this is what is happening through Off the Bus, my involvement within Guiding and through our monthly coffee mornings and home visits. “I run Off the Bus and the coffee mornings with a group of ladies and we have regular Bible study and what St Padarn’s has brought me is more in depth knowledge of the Bible and the Gospels. “The great thing about it is networking and being able to speak to other people in the same situation as yourself.”
Play a part in new orchestra Greater Gower Deanery is forming a new orchestra and is looking for members to join its ranks. The idea is that the orchestra will practise on the last Sunday of every month, and will then be available to play at your church for a festival or special event. Vicar of Killay Canon Phil Gwynn said: “Some will recall the many happy experiences at the hugely successful diocesan youth camp in Gwernyfed High School held over a number of years. "This event attracted over 300 young people at its height, plus their leaders - some who were even keener to attend than the youngsters! “A number of former ‘youth campers’ in Gower Deanery are re-establishing a youth orchestra, which will be led by Nia Davies, a music teacher based in the Swansea area. “Let’s see if this might draw our musical youngsters to breathe new life into our worship, and lead to lifelong friendships – just like our youth camp did, back in the day.” Any young people and/ or adults who might be interested in taking part can contact Nia on 07803 908965. If you would like the orchestra to play for you, please register your interest, contact Canon Phil on (01792) 204758 or email: phillip@gwynn. org.uk
8 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
St Mary's celebrates 60 years
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t is 60 years since St Mary’s Church was re-consecrated, and 65 since work began to rebuild the ruins left behind by the Swansea Blitz. A church has stood on the site since the 13th century but, with money and materials in short supply at the end of World War II, its future looked bleak. But that all changed in 1954, as current vicar of St Mary’s Canon Ian Rees explained. “After the war there was no money around, no materials around, so there was a decision to be made as to whether to rebuild it or not,” he said. “Nobody quite knew at that time whether big town churches were relevant. All the residential parts of the city had gone and it was largely shops. They couldn’t decide whether it was worth spending a lot of money at the time to rebuild it, or put that
St Mary’s Church in Swansea is, today, a thriving city centre church and home to everything from civic services to a coffee shop and outreach initiatives including breakfasts for the homeless. But the history of the Swansea landmark, which has just celebrated the 60th anniversary of its reconsecration, could have been very different money into churches elsewhere. Eventually the decision was taken to rebuild. “It took until 1954 to start. They had the first service when they cleared the church completely and that was a kind of launch. It took another five years from then, partly
because it was a big job and partly because, again, money was short and materials weren’t easy to get either.” St Mary’s was completed in 1959, costing £2.5m in today’s money, funded both by the Church in Wales and donations from across the city. “The church was rebuilt a number of times over the years prior to that,” Ian said. “The biggest rebuild was in 1898 when the church was built to look basically like it does today. “The then-vicar Allan Smith had this idea that it would be a church for Swansea to be proud of, possibly even a cathedral for a diocese – at that time there was still a possibility that Swansea could be a diocese. “The decision in 1954 was largely to rebuild it as per the 1898 church, so that church was rebuilt with a few additions. "The Trinity Chapel was added at
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Photographs: Angela Hewitt
since its reconsecration the end because there was a church called Holy Trinity which was destroyed during the war and they didn’t rebuild that but added it to here.” Today, St Mary’s is a Swansea landmark and is home to the city’s civic services, from Remembrance Sunday to the annual carol service. “It is the major civic church in Swansea,” Ian said. “But we pride ourselves on the fact it’s a living, breathing, working church. "It’s open every day as a church, there’s a coffee shop every day and a homeless breakfast once a week. “We only started the homeless breakfast four months ago but we get around 20 each week to it, and there’s a really good atmosphere as well. “We’ve also got a new children’s area which has been really positive.” It is also home to the College Of
St Mary, which brings together chaplains and people working in specialist ministries across Swansea. “We have prison, hospital, university, Mission to Seafarers, children and young people, ecumenical and Welsh chaplains on the college,” Ian said. “We meet together to work out ways in which we can serve Swansea as a church. "The original idea was to bring together people working in largely isolated ministries. "We relaunched it 18 months ago to see how we can work together in different organisations to see what we can do for Swansea.” The 60th anniversary of the re-consecration was marked with a series of events, including a week-long exhibition detailing the church’s long history. “The exhibition was mainly put
together by Paul Murray,” Ian said. “it’s been his hobby to collect things about St Mary’s for years. He has history which goes back well before the war, almost to the start of when there was a church here. “We also had a superb concert by the choir from St Martin-inthe-Fields. Our director of music William Reynolds is from Neath and the organist and assistant director of music at St Martin’s also grew up there so he was able to invite them.” There were also other musical events and a talk on the history of the church. Morriston Orpheus Choir also performed a special concert. The week culminated in a choral Eucharist led by Archbishop John. This was followed in the evening with Choral Evensong when music from the original re-consecration service was included.
10 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
Could you champion Faith in Families is looking for people to help spread the word of its work as new project gets underway
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aith in Families is a small team which makes a huge difference to people’s lives, and there’s a chance for people across the diocese to help with that work. The charity, which runs three family centres in Swansea and the St John’s Centre in Brecon, is looking for people to champion its work and share the stories of others whose lives it transforms. You'll be well informed with regular updates, have the opportunity to really experience its work and be provided with the resources necessary to bring its work to life in each church across the diocese. You could become part of a fantastic team making a real difference to the children and families across our diocese, the gospel in action. And there’s no better time to get involved, as Faith in Families’ exciting Brighter Futures project is underway, giving children opportunities to be the best they can be. The charity was awarded funding from the Charles Plater Trust, Children in Need and Swansea Council for Voluntary Services for Brighter Futures Project. The grant has enabled Faith in Families to employ three engagement workers to deliver intensive support, play and learning activities for children and their parents together, building relationships using a variety of engagement tools with the child and the parent/carer. Faith in Families CEO Cherrie Bija said: “Faith in Families’ Brighter Futures project has got off to an incredible start with immediate impact with those in so much need, exactly what we are all about. Funded by Children in Need, The
Charles Plater Trust and SCVS we have been able to recruit engagement officers to work intensively with young children who are on the edge of crisis, who are living in adversity who deserve to have the support, love and care and a brighter future ahead of them. “We are only able to work with schools within a two-mile radius of each of our centres in Swansea. Within the first month we had 17 referrals. I would like to tell you about one of them. “A referral came from a primary school where a mum had presented herself and told the head teacher she was not coping and was going to voluntarily put her children into care. She was at crisis point. “Our engagement worker went out to visit her and the younger children. An initial assessment was carried out and together they developed a personal plan. One child started ‘draw and talk’ therapy that day. “The next day our worker picked up mum and brought her to one of our centres, where she attended a volunteering training course and her younger child attended our playgroup. We have invited mum to meet with our adult engagement worker who will run through some parenting skills with her to develop
techniques to deal with the difficult times and to recognise them. “The family have also been invited to our Time for Tea session where they will all be able to have a hot, healthy meal, sat around a table, talking and sharing together with our teams and their community. This is where friendship and support for all the family can develop. This is the beginning of her journey with us, one to give her and her children a brighter future. This is what Faith in Families is all about and this story is one of many.” Faith in families has also just begun its ‘Shaping Futures’ project which recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work in its Cwtches. “Our volunteers bring so much added value to our services, their skills, experience, passion and time, whether it be making cups of tea and coming alongside our families, cooking in our lunch clubs, reading stories in our playgroups or keeping our gardens looking great,”
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charity in your church? Cherrie said. “We would love you to come and join our fabulous teams. “Our Teilo’s Tots childcare opened on April 1 and now the new-build at St Teilo’s Church is full of little ones laughing. We still have lots of places so please do share with any families that you know are looking for fantastic, quality, flexible, affordable childcare, we would welcome everyone.” It is a busy time for the charity with summer holidays about to start. For many years its holiday breakfast and lunch clubs have been inundated. “School holiday time is a difficult for families having to find the
resources to have fun, have food and have friendship during these weeks,” Cherrie said. “We believe every child in our diocese deserves for these weeks to be memory making and full of positive experiences, if you can help out with food parcels please do get in touch.” If you would like to find out more about becoming a champion or volunteer, you can contact admin@faithinfamilies.wales • Bring a Smile to Faith in Families: back page
Faith in Families' new children and families engagement workers are Alys Murphy and Teresa Seymour. “I have lots of experience working with children and families in both an educational and support context,” Alys said. “My previous role involved running a baby and toddler group and has given me a good understanding of early childhood and age appropriate activities that promote engagement and improve well-being. Teresa qualified as a teaching assistant 17 years ago before working at a secure unit supporting young people. After the birth of her daughter she began working at a primary school, where she ran the parent and toddler group. The trained emotional literacy support assistant said: "I’m super excited about developing the Brighter Futures project. I can’t wait to get involved in the community and support families to raise happy and healthy children.”
12 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
Bishops adopt IHRA definition The Bishops of the Church in Wales have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-semitism. In a statement, they say: “We regard anti-Semitism as abhorrent and recognise that the Christian Church has need of repentance for the ways in which it has contributed in the past to anti-Jewish sentiment. "We note that the IHRA definition itself does not preclude criticism of the State of Israel, and that legitimately holding the Israeli government to account is not anti-Semitic. In making the decision we recognise the excellent relationships between faith communities in Wales.” The IHRA definition has been adopted by the Welsh and UK Governments, by all four Welsh police forces, and by a number of local authorities in Wales. The definition is: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Fun, foraging and food at Convivium
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here was no repeat of last year’s sunshine but the second Convivium Festival at Brecon Cathedral still had plenty to see and do. The festival is about good food, good music and good fun, all in support of helping Brecon become a more sustainable and caring community that values its distinct local heritage and culture. This year the festival took place over two days and included public talks, local walks, a traditional Welsh Twmpath, live music, opportunities to learn about foraging, and the return of its popular Carolina barbecue. It began with a walk from Brecon Cathedral to Llanddew Church led by Mark Clavier, Residentiary Canon at Brecon Cathedral. The speaker on day one was Dr Matthew Jones, a trained doctor, previously a lawyer, a marathon runner and photographer and writer. He spent 2018 working on a paediatric ward in a
rural mission hospital in civil war-torn South Sudan, looking after around 3,000 children suffering from illnesses ranging from malaria to malnutrition. The day also featured a Twmpath led by traditional Welsh music on traditional instruments. Day two began with foraging led by Adele Nozedar of Brecon Beacons Foraging, exploring the many edible and wild plants in the grounds of the cathedral. Day two’s speaker was Phil Cope, who introduced the audience to the history of wellsprings throughout Wales and beyond, told through their historical records, myths and legends, and the poems inspired by these magical places. More than 100 children enjoyed the activities on offer in the cathedral, including arts and crafts about appreciating and caring for the environment. Music was provided by two regional performers: FiddleBop, playing Gypsy Jazz, and Sarah Birch.
Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, with Dean of Brecon Paul Shackerley and centre, Sarah Birch on stage
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Above, Jane Silver-Corren and Butta Singh during assembly. Right, pupils explore labyrinths and Jane leads a workshop on Judaism
Multifaith day gives pupils 'an amazing experience'
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lyro Church in Wales Primary School has held its second multifaith day, with workshops led by faith leaders in Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism and Judaism. Local vicar Rev David Thomas, who is also foundation governor at the school, and the diocese’s director of education John Meredith led the Christianity workshops which included labyrinths and prayer spaces. Rev David said: “It’s very exciting indeed, with lots of challenges and things for the children to do. "They’re really into it and it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to experience not only the Christian faith but other world religions as well. "I think it’s good in this day and age for people to be more understanding and respectful of each other’s faith and beliefs.”
Bharti Tailor, who led the Hinduism workshops, said: “It’s a good way to introduce a religion to people and it’s nice because it’s interactive. The children take part in many different faiths.” Singing and dancing teacher Jane Silver-Corren said: “I base my workshops around Jewish food and traditions fitting in songs and dances so we try lots of different foods, clothes and I call it ‘my Jewish home’.”
Bharti Tailor led the Hinduism workshops during the school's multifaith day
Butta Singh said: “I’m giving the children a role-play experience so they can feel what it’s like to be a Sikh. "That experience will last a lifetime in their learning and understanding and developing of what a Sikh is.” Headteacher Sarah Groves said the day - it held its first multifaith day in 2016 - was an opportunity to "give the children an experience which we couldn't give". “It’s been an amazing experience," Sarah said. "It gives the children a real insight into the life of world faiths, learning and appreciating, developing their tolerance and respect for other people’s beliefs, and it gives them a sense of who they are as well as developing their ideas about others around them and appreciating other people in the world.”
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Your chance to sing at cathedral This year’s Brecon Cathedral singing weekend will take place from Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 2. The event is an opportunity for singers with some experience to come to Brecon to form a choir which will rehearse intensively and sing the Cathedral services on Saturday and Sunday. The music this year includes Mozart’s Missa Brevis in F, Bruckner’s Ave Maria, the exquisite ‘Gloria in excelsis deo’ by Thomas Weelkes and the 20th Century masterpiece, Rejoice in the Lamb, by Britten. Meals are provided by Pilgrims’ Tearooms, and are included in the cost of the weekend. All music copies are provided. For full details of the music and timetable, and to download an application form, visit www. breconcathedral.org.uk/ music/cathedral-singing -weekend/
Pupils' choir on song at awards Congratulations have gone to St Mary's Church in Wales Primary School, Brynmawr's Connect Intergenerational Choir, which has won best community project at the United Welsh Together Awards. The choir, which was featured in the Easter edition of Cymuned, visits Brynmawr's Wesley House every Tuesday during term time to sing with residents.
Storytellers gather chapters in project's
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pen the Book has celebrated two landmark anniversaries in its history at a special service at Brecon Cathedral. Storytellers from around Wales gathered for the 20th anniversary of the project which offers primary school children an opportunity to hear key Bible stories, from a team of Christians from local churches, who present the stories during assemblies and acts of collective worship. The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the translation of the Open the Book resources into Welsh – Agor y Llyfr. Stories used in Open the Book – which is part of the Bible Society - use The Lion Storyteller Bible, and its author Bob Hartman was one of the speakers at the service. “Sometimes things get in the way of kids having the chance to meet Jesus, but what we have done, what you have done, over the last 20 years is to find a way to get through that queue and find a way to introduce kids to the one who is our Lord,” he said. Paul Matthews, the CEO of Open the Book, in a message to the service said: “Who would have thought, from those humble beginnings, that we would now be in over 3,000 primary schools, involving over 17,000 storytellers up and down the country, telling the bible stories. That is an enormous achievement we can celebrate. “Secondly, and more importantly, is
In 1999 a small group of church volunteers started going into primary school assemblies in Bedford to read and act out stories using The Lion Storyteller Bible. After being inspired by this, the project spread into Gloucestershire in 2001. Later, in 2007, a national charity was formed. With increasing growth of volunteer numbers into the thousands, OtB joined Bible Society in 2013.
Bob Hartman speaks at the 20th anniversary diocese' s children, youth and families' officers the way that as volunteers, organisers and supporters we are coming together from a wide range of local churches, in unity, to serve the needs of our local communities and that is a marvellous witness of the Church in the community, serving the needs and meeting the needs of our communities.” The service was opened by Dean of Brecon Dr Paul Shackerley and led by Rev Catrin Roberts. As well as Bob Hartman speakers included Dai Woolridge and there was music from Sound of Wales.
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to mark two special 20-year anniversary
service. Right are members of Sound of Wales, speaker Dai Woolridge and Bob with the Rev Rachel Bunting, Sian Parkhouse and Clare Morgan before the cutting of the cake Children, Youth and Families officer for Greater Brecon, Clare Morgan, said: "It’s been great to be part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of Open the Book, part of the Bible Society. “This event brought together storytellers from all over Wales. As well as celebrating 20 years of Open the Book, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the translation of Open the Book resources into Welsh – Agor y Llyfr. “During the celebration at Brecon Cathedral, Open the Book Volunteers presented posters created by schools
to be included in an anniversary book. We’re planning more Open the Book events in the future and hope to get Bob Hartman who wrote the Lion Storyteller Bible involved. "We’re also considering a large scale event for children as well as more training days to increase the number of storytellers visiting local primary schools.” If you are interested in finding out more about Open the Book please contact claremorgan@churchinwales. org.uk
Kirsty learns more about Knighton's well-being skills Pupils from Knighton Church in Wales Primary School have had a special visitor. Kirsty Williams AM, Education Minister, visited the school to find out more about its whole-school approach to improve friendship issues, bullying and well-being. The children explained how they use Guardian Angels, a ‘no-blame’, pupil-led, problemsolving tool, to address behaviour issues and develop relationship skills. Guardian Angels empowers children to work together to: • resolve daily friendship issues, especially playtime ’frenemies’, which impact on our children’s wellbeing and readiness to learn; • reduce the number of children who feel lonely and left out. The school said that the Guardian Angels meetings also help children to label emotions and reassure them that emotions are natural and normal. That gives children the skills to resolve friendship issues in a positive way and reinforce its message that everyone can learn to make better choices when children, teachers and parents/carers work together to help one another instead of focusing on blame.
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Theme of hope for this The theme of this year's school leavers' service at Brecon Cathedral was hope and there were opportunities for pupils to explore the cathedral, experience a pilgrimage and explore Prayer Spaces. The service was led by Archbishop John, who presented the leavers with Bibles and crosses
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year's leavers' service
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Building bridges of peace and begin the journey to Brecon
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hen Peace Mala reached its 10th year in 2012 we celebrated our work with a five day walking pilgrimage for world peace across the sacred landscape of the Gower peninsular in South Wales. Archbishop John joined us for the start of the pilgrimage in St Teilo’s Bishopston where we were joined by schoolchildren and representatives from many faith traditions across South Wales. Dr Rowan Williams, Patron of Peace Mala and Archbishop of Canterbury at the time, wrote a letter of encouragement for the pilgrims. At the end of the letter he said this: “The challenge of making and keeping peace is a task far too great for any one faith community to tackle on its own, and the deeply impressive work of the Peace Mala network over the last 10 years has consistently reminded us of this. It has been a privilege to be involved with this vision, and I pray every blessing on all it continues to do.” With increasing levels of fear, ignorance and violence in our world, Peace Mala decided to introduce a new initiative with Symbolic Doves of Peace that would travel the world. Fourteen small symbolic doves made from wood, painted in the Peace Mala colours and each carrying a Peace Mala bracelet (along with other items) were launched during a ceremony that took place in our peace garden at Swansea on April 30, 2015. Dignitaries, faith representatives and school children took part in the ceremony. It has been a wonder and a joy to see how far these little doves have
Peace Mala's World Peace Liturgy will be taking place in Brecon Cathedral in September. Here, the charity's founder Pam Evans tells us more about the inspiration behind the service and some special visitors who are making the long journey to Wales
already travelled with our message of hope, friendship, respect and peace for all who live on this planet we call our home. The journeys of the 14 doves are being tracked to provide an exciting geography project for schools and youth groups. This information is already being published on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the interactive world map on our
website for everyone to follow. Some of the many journeys our doves of peace have made include Peace Dove 13 which in particular is travelling between the cultural and faith communities of our world to encourage friendship and better understanding. Each dove has been named. Number 13 is ‘Tangnefydd’ which is Welsh for ‘the spiritual peace of God’. She had already travelled to Jerusalem with the Orthodox Jews of Swansea, has been on pilgrimage to the Holy Kaaba in Makkah with the Muslims of Cardiff and more recently visited the Vatican in Rome. We are presently calling home all our little doves of peace in readi-
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dissolving barriers as doves for special interfaith service ness for our World Peace Liturgy that will take place in Brecon Cathedral on September 16. During our service they will be blessed and consecrated with incense and holy water by Archbishop John and Bishop Tom Burns of Menevia. We
hope they will find future sponsor guardians who will take them on many more journeys across our planet to share our message of friendship and compassion for all. The whole of society must work to understand the mentality of religious and political extremists. Extremism flourishes wherever reason is suppressed and freedom of thought and speech is discouraged. Inter-faith dialogue for peace is vital as is the education of our children. This is where the Peace Mala project has so much to offer as it introduces children and young people to the Golden Rule which
exists in all religions, spiritual paths and cultures. As we move into the future we are experiencing a new dimension of exciting possibilities. There has always been darkness in this world but at this present time we are also living in a period of great spiritual awakening and remarkable planetary interconnectedness. Within this century, more than ever before, we have become exposed to the diverse and wonderful spiritual traditions of our planet. This in turn has made us aware of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the human family. By embracing the universal truths that all religions and spiritual paths share, we can help build bridges of peace and dissolve the boundaries that normally divide people from each other. At the same time, we can still honour and celebrate each person’s own unique ethnic, cultural and spiritual heritage. The Peace Mala story is one of continuing growth as it reaches out to all people in our global village. Our International Interfaith Liturgy for World Peace at Brecon Cathedral is going to be a glorious spiritual gathering and vision for a more compassionate world. Pupils from our Peace Mala schools in Wales and Greater Manchester, as well as members of many faith traditions from across the UK, will be sharing and taking part. • The invitation-only service takes place at Brecon Cathedral on September 16. We'll be bringing you highlights and photos from the service in October's edition of Cymuned.
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t’s been a busy and exciting time for Brecon Cathedral Choir and its choristers, including a tour of Malta. The choir also joined up with Llandaff and Newport cathedral choirs for a special choral evensong. The tour took in Malta and Gozo, including a commemoration of the anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to Malta. Brecon Cathedral’s director of music Stephen Power said: “The coach left Brecon at 11.45pm on Friday, May 24 and Brecon Cathedral Choir’s had begun. Flying from Gatwick Airport, we finally touched down in Malta on Saturday late morning. “Exhausted but excited, we were taken to our hotel in the north of the island. We spent the Sunday in Valletta, Malta’s capital, singing the Eucharist at St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral, and enjoying a very informative guided tour of the city. Back at the hotel, the choristers took full advantage of the roof top swimming pool. “The next day we went to the Malta National Aquarium, which was a fascinating visit showing the best of the Mediterranean’s rich sea life, along with a stark warning about the importance of recycling. We then took the ferry to Gozo and had a coach tour of the beautiful island. “The day concluded with a concert at the monastic church of St Anthony of Padua, Ghajnsielem, sung to a large and appreciative audience, where we were joined by the British composer Ian King who had written us a new anthem for Holy Cross Day 2019. “Day four included a visit to Mosta Church, which has the third largest dome in the world. We visited Mdina, known as the silent city, stopping to take in the breath-taking views of Dingli cliffs on the way. The day concluded with our second concert of the tour at the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in St Paul’s Bay. “On our final morning, Wednesday, May 29, we were up early to catch out flight and start the journey back to Brecon.
Malta tour's high note in choir's busy programme “The tour would not have been possible without the support of a huge number of people, to whom I thank most warmly, on behalf of the choir. We had a brilliant time in Malta, taking in the culture of the Maltese people and performing at some beautiful concert venues, and of course, enjoying each other’s company.” Two new events to encourage children to join the choir – Junior Choir and the Chorister Experience – have also been a success.
Junior Choir returned in May, providing free sessions for children to learn singing games, breathing exercises and songs. And a mini version of the Chorister Experience took place during the Cathedral Chaos event at Brecon Cathedral in June. The choristers are now preparing for their concert at Brecon Cathedral which will take place at Brecon Cathedral on Thursday, July 18 at 7pm. Tickets are £9 and are available on the door or from the cathedral shop.
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Strong foundations, flexible structures Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God. Isaiah 40: 3 You probably want the world to be a better place. Isaiah 40 is one of those passages in the Bible that announces hope and good news to God’s people and the wider world. I referred to it at the diocesan conference last year. It feels an important verse that captures something of the transition into ministry areas. Here’s a picture of how a period of engineering and hard work opens a way for God to be present for a new season. The outcome - God’s blessings and his kingdom are there for all to see and enjoy. The transition into ministry areas is similar. There’s hard work involved in re-shaping and restructuring our churches, parishes and benefices to allow ministry and mission to flourish. However, like any engineering project preparation and foundations are crucial. If you want to build a skyscraper in an earthquake zone then there is an important
rule you need to follow: create strong foundations with flexible structures. When an earthquake hits then the structures above the ground are designed to move around enough while the foundations stay strong. The foundations of ministry areas are strong relationships – with God and with each other. So if I am asked the question ‘how do we start to become a ministry area?’ my answer comes in two parts. First, get a team of leaders together to pray and second, start doing things together across the ministry area. Build those relationships with God and with each other, build strong foundations, then think about structures. Prayer is such an important part of this. Below are a handful of suggestions on praying together. If you want any ideas or help then ask around in your church and ministry area – and if you can’t find what you want, then please get in touch with me.
Praying together
Main above is the Three Choirs singing at Brecon Cathedral and, above, highlights from the choir's tour of Malta which took place in May
• Why not meet for a time of formal prayer, using liturgies or service outlines available in books or online. If you are new to praying together then start with 30 minutes. Set a theme. Share the work by asking each person to bring one or two prayers to read out or a bible reading on the theme. • Get a group together for informal prayer in the church, in a side chapel or in a home. Start small with 30 minutes and see if that is long enough. Perhaps use the readings for the day from the lectionary to start your time together. • Go for a prayer walk in a group. Mandy Bayton from Cinnamon Network has given each ministry area leader ideas how to do this. There are plenty of ideas that you can look up online too. • Go for a virtual prayer walk as a group. If the weather is bad or you just can’t get out for whatever reason then get a map of your area, put it on the table and use a small cross or candle to mark the place you are all praying for – and then move on. If you use nightlights for each place you pray for, then you can cover your map in the light of Christ! • Contact Tim at timhollingdale@cinw.org.uk or 07781 016189
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Mothers' Union service Members urged to 'put on the heavenly' as Archbishop leads service at cathedral
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hake off the dust and put on the heavenly, Archbishop John told Swansea and Brecon Mothers’ Union at a packed diocesan festival at Brecon Cathedral. The service saw the commissioning of the new diocesan president Sally Freedman, vice-president Ella Thomas and honorary life vice-president Rev Kay Warrington. Rev Julie Wagstaff was also commissioned as the Mothers’ Union diocesan chaplain. Referencing the reading from Genesis 2:7-8 Archbishop John said: “It says something very profound, something very remarkable, to us about our purpose and our nature. “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, so human beings are earthbound. But then breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, the love divine of which we celebrate and without which we remain creatures of the earth. “Our other reading, Paul’s second letter to Timothy, sets us within the context of an earthly family. Paul writing to Timothy about his granny and mother. "Those from who you were schooled in the faith, who took you beyond being earthbound, who took you beyond being creatures of the dust, and who gave you a glimpse of what it is to be part of the family of heaven.” That, Archbishop John said, tells us something very important about the role of the Mothers’ Union. “Those who are going to be invested with office this afternoon and commissioned for work among you, are effectively being given what we might call dusty, earthbound honours. "They’ve been rewarded for the
abilities they possess, for having certain gifts which might be useful to the Mothers’ Union in our diocese as part of the institution of our diocese. “But that leaves it at the earthbound level, at a functional level. But we’re here to celebrate the heavenly level, the level of faith, outreach, mission, ministry and evangelism. So to those who are
being incorporated into a particular role, my wish for you, my prayer for you, is that you take a bit of time to find silence from time to time, and in that silence remember that, while you may be part of an earthly organisation, your purpose is one that is essentially heavenly. “You need to step beyond the institution and be open to the love
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greets new president
divine, the breath of life that comes from God. I pray that will give you the strength of character, the determination and the will to see to it that the Mothers’ Union is never perceived as an earthly, earthbound organisation, but always perceived as part of the heavenly family with a heavenly message of the grace and truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Shake off
the dust and put on the heavenly.� Beryl Evans, Moira Bibby, Rachel Wells, Jeanne Hughes, Ailsa Howells and Helen Jones were commissioned as general trustees. Four deanery leaders were also commissioned: Ruth Roberts (Afon Tawe), Jill McPherson (Greater Gower), Margaret Blake (Greater Brecon) and Alison Lawrence (Radnor/Builth).
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'A magnificent, spiritually uplifting day, we were most grateful to be there...'
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hen the invitation arrived in November last I wondered for a moment if someone might be pulling my leg; letters from Buckingham Palace do not normally come through our letter-box. However, common sense quickly took over and, opening the envelope, I found a letter from the Royal Almonry Office. I read that I had been nominated by Archbishop John to receive the Royal Maundy in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The hope was expressed that I should “feel able to accept this honour”. Maundy is an English corruption of the Latin mandatum. It refers to Our Lord’s ‘New Commandment’ to the Eleven at the Last Supper, that his followers should love one another. For over 800 years British monarchs have symbolically obeyed this mandate by distributing alms usually on Maundy Thursday, and, at one time, also washing the feet of those chosen. The distribution now takes place within a Service; foot washing was discontinued in about 1730, and the alms now distributed come in two small purses symbolising respectively the gifts of clothing and of provisions in former times, a red purse containing £5.50 and a white one containing 93 pence uniquely minted. For many years the number of recipients has been determined by the Sovereign’s age so that in 2019 there were 93 women and 93 men, all pensioners nominated by their bishops for their service to their churches and communities. I read that it is a service which the Queen regards with importance; she has attended and distributed the Maundy alms on every Maundy Thursday in her reign except four. I arrived at Windsor Castle in good
Pat Steane and Hugh Thomas were Archbishop John's nominees to attend the Royal Maundy service at St George's, Windsor. Here, they tell us about the day time, thanks to Corinne, my wife, Becky, my daughter, and Georgina, my sister, who was my companion at the service as I cannot drive at present. St George’s Chapel is a fine building, redolent of history and tradition. There was pageantry; the Queen’s bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard in their Tudor uniform marched into chapel, and among the augmented choir were the children (boy choristers) of the Chapel Royal in their uniform which dates from the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. The Lord High Almoner (currently the Bishop of Worcester) and his staff were girded with linen towels symbolising the foot washing of former times; it was also remembered by the fragrant nosegays carried by the Queen and some of the Maundy officials. In contrast, the service itself was simple: there were two readings, a psalm (138), three hymns and prayers. After each reading while the Choirs sang, the Queen uniquely came to
each recipient in turn and presented each with the two small purses. The singing was excellent; Duruflé’s Ubi caritas et amor (“Where care and love are, there is God”), a 20th century setting for a very ancient hymn, part of the music during the distribution of the gifts, seemed to convey the whole meaning of the occasion. Other reflections? What can one say? It is, of course, special – “awesome” to use the overworked word – to be in the presence of the Queen, our Head of State. But this was different: our Queen entered the body of the chapel without fuss or fanfare, and there was no dais. Joining her in worship not only “grounded” the occasion but also, paradoxically, made it extra special. For me as a Reader, it was both poignant and uplifting to join in the great General Thanksgiving, crafted for the Book of Common Prayer of 1662 by Bishop Edward Reynolds of Norwich, which I almost always used when leading morning or evening prayer. Another of the prayers petitioned that the Maundy gifts might “encourage and hearten” those who received them. We in turn frequently encountered expressions of welcome and encouragement throughout our time in Windsor Castle, from the police at the Castle gates, from the Royal Almonry staff as we arrived at St George’s Chapel, from the Yeomen of the Guard whom we met informally outside the Chapel, and from Palace staff serving at the reception which followed the service. “Have a great day”, they said. After the Chrism Eucharist on Tuesday in Holy Week, Archbishop John told me “Enjoy yourself”. I am happy to report that I did. Hugh Thomas
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his year I was privileged to receive the Royal Maundy gift from Her Majesty the Queen at the Maundy Service in St George’s Windsor and Henry accompanied me. The Maundy Recipients are chosen from across the United Kingdom. The precise number of recipients is equal to the Queen’s age and on this occasion there were 93 men and 93 women each nominated by the Bishops of their Dioceses. The recipients are pensioners selected because of service to Church and community. It was a beautiful sunny morning and we enjoyed the walk from our hotel to the Castle. We were seated at the north side of the chapel, which gave me a good view of the Queen’s
entrance at the North Door where she was presented with the traditional nosegay. We sang the hymn 'Praise to the Holiest in the heights' while the Queen’s procession moved passed us to the Nave. The procession was very colourful with the red and gold of the Yeomen of the Guard and the Military Knights of Windsor, the Chapel Royal Choir and the Royal Almonry in their finery. The Queen was dressed in yellow and was accompanied by Princess Eugenie. She was followed by the Children of the Royal Almonry who were selected from two local schools. The Lord High Almoner (Right Reverend Dr John Inge) and the children were girded with white linen towels in remembrance of the act of washing of the feet and also
carried the traditional nosegays. The choir sang the Versicles and psalm 138 and the congregation sang three hymns. There were two lessons and no address. The first lesson was John 13:1- 15 where Jesus washes the Disciples' feet and commands them to do likewise. It is this command that gives rise to Maundy, which comes from the Latin mandatum meaning commandment. The first part of the distribution of the Maundy Gifts took place on the South side of the chapel after the first lesson. The second lesson was Matthew 25 :31- 46 and then the second part of the distribution took place on the North side. The full procession followed The Queen during the distributions and the Maundy purses were carried on six gold dishes by the Yeomen of the Guard. The Lord High Almoner handed the Maundy purses to the Queen who personally gave two purses to each recipient, one white containing the silver Maundy coins, silver pennies, twopences, threepences and fourpences, as many pence as the Sovereign has years of age. The second purse is red and contains a nominal allowance for clothing and provision; this year a £5 coin commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria and a 50p piece commemorating Sherlock Holmes. The distribution was followed by prayers and the hymn “My song is love unknown” followed by the blessing and the national anthem. The Queen and the full procession left the Chapel and the bells of the Curfew Tower were rung. The music before and during the service was magnificent. The service was sung by the choirs of St George’s Chapel and Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal and the organ was played by Luke Bond, assistant director of music at St George’s and Martyn Noble, suborganist at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal. The whole experience was most uplifting and memorable. A magnificent and spiritually uplifting day; we were most grateful to be there. Pat Steane
26 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
Rachel centre stage as Hay's St Mary's joins celebration
Photograph: Theresa Pewal
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ay Music is celebrating 100 concerts in July, including a special performance by Rachel Podger at the town’s St Mary’s Church. The concert is part of the ‘A Celebration of Music in Hay’ weekend and violinist Rachel will be joined by Kristian Bezuidenhout (harpsichord). Rachel has established herself as a leading interpreter of the baroque and classical and was the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Royal Academy of Music/ Kohn Foundation Bach Prize in October 2015 and is the 2018 Gramophone Artist of the Year. A creative programmer, she is the founder and artistic director of Brecon Baroque Festival and her ensemble Brecon Baroque. St Mary’s Church in Hay is using music to reach out to the community after work to make the church more comfortable and accessible was completed. There have been repairs to the fabric of the building and improve-
ments to disabled access, toilets have been put in and a new central heating system fitted. The church is available for hire as a concert venue, as well as putting on its own concerts. Also performing at St Mary’s in the coming weeks are James Hickman and James Cassidy, below, a transatlantic duo inspired by the folk traditions of America and Britain. They will be performing on July 6 and tickets, priced at £10, will be available at the door. Earlier that day - 10.30am for 11am - there will be a recital of organ music played on St Mary’s Bevington organ by Dr Michael Neville. The programme will include works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart and Brahms. Entry is free with a retiring collection in aid of the church.
On July 29, the church will be welcoming 30 members of the Redbridge Music School. Redbridge Music School presents approximately 50 annual concerts featuring a range of ensembles and choirs offering a progression through different levels of ability. Access and progression through the ensembles is determined by annual auditions. This concert will feature, among other pieces, a movement from the Holberg Suite by Greig, Palladio by Karl Jenkins and quartets by Mozart and Haydn. Entry is free, with a retiring collection for the church. Rachel Podger and Kristian Bezuidenhout will be performing on Sunday, July 14 from 3pm-5.30pm. Tickets are £15 (students £7.50) and are available from Richard Booth's Bookshop, 44 Lion Street, Hay-onWye, online at events@boothbooks. co.uk or at the door. You can find out more about St Mary's music programme at stmaryschurchhayonwye.co.uk
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Ar ffin yr Esgobaeth – Gwersi o Afon Tawe
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ae’r Afon Tawe yn llifo ar ffin dwyrain ein Hesgobaeth ni, a mewn mannau, mae’r afon yn gweithio fel ffin yr Esgobaeth ei hun. Mae’r lluniau hyn wedi cael eu tynnu yn Ystalyfera, yn edrych tuag at y Gogledd. Maen nhw’n dangos gwahanol dymhorau yn y flwyddyn, a mae’r lluniau eu hunain yn adrodd hanes yr afon ar draws cyfnod blwyddyn a hanner. Dyma ddeg sylw am yr Afon Tawe ar ffin ein Hesgobaeth ni, a beth mae’r lluniau hyn yn gallu dweud wrthon ni am ein bywydau ni: 1. Mae hi’n gymylog yn yr ardal hon fel arfer - Bydd cwmwl o ryw fath ym mywyd fel arfer. 2. Mae’r afon yn gallu llifio’n llawn beth bynnag y tymor – Gall bywyd symud yn gloi beth bynnag tymor eich bywyd chi. 3. Mae adlewyrchiad yn perthyn
yn union i gyflymdra’r dŵr – Gall amseroedd sydd yn fwy tawel i ni fyfyrio neu weddïo fod yn bresennol, ond efallai fydd eisiau arnon ni eu creu hefyd. 4. Mae’r cymylau’n cael eu hadlewyrchu yn y dŵr – Mae myfyrio ar bethau wrth iddynt ddigwydd yn bwysig hefyd. 5. Ambell waith, mae’r afon yn dywyll oherwydd y pridd sydd yn y dŵr yn dilyn glaw a oedd yn drwm – Gall amseroedd cynhyrfus lusgo llawer o bethau gyda nhw. 6. Mae’r afon yn parhau llifio beth bynnag y tymor – Bydd bywyd, a llawer o bethau eraill yn parhau er gwaethaf pethau’n newid. 7. Mae tyfiant a dirywiad ar lan yr afon yn debyg yr afon yn newid yr holl amser – Does dim byd yn aros yr un peth.
8. Os oes dim byd ar wahân i dywydd sych a heulog, byddai dim dŵr yn yr afon – Mae eisiau arnon ni obeithio am bethau da a dymunol gyda doethineb, a derbyn y ffaith eu bod nhw ddim yn para heb ddiwedd. 9. Mae’r pellter yno yn wastad, ond ambell waith mae pethau dros dro’n rhwystro ein golwg ni – efallai fod eisiau arnon ni gadw llygad ar y ddau ac i ni sefyll yn yr un man yn fwy nag unwaith. 10. O ble dyn ni’n byw yn ein lleoliad, mae tarddle ac aber yr afon yn bodoli o bell ohonon ni. Felly, mae fforio tuag at y tarddle a thuag at yr aber yn beth da – Dyn ni’n gwybod ble dyn ni, yn sicr, ond mae fforio o ble dyn ni wedi dod ac i ble dyn ni’n mynd yn syniad da hefyd. Tim Hewitt Ficer Ystalyfera
For a translation of this story, visit swanseaandbrecon.churchinwales.org.uk/
28 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
Bells ring out for Notre Dame Brecon Cathedral joined cathedrals and churches around Wales and the UK in tolling its bells in solidarity with the cathedral community of Notre Dame. Archbishop John joined with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to encourage all cathedrals and churches across Wales to toll a bell for seven minutes at 7pm on Maundy Thursday, as a sign of both sorrow for and solidarity following the devastating fire. There was also a call to organists worldwide to consider Notre Dame. The Festal Eucharist at Brecon Cathedral on Easter Day featured the final movement of Symphonie I by Louis Vierne. Vierne was organiste titulaire at Notre Dame de Paris from 1900 to 1937. The choir also sang Ubi Caritas on Maundy Thursday, set to music by Vierne’s assistant, Maurice Duruflė. Ringers at St Cynidr and St Peter’s in Glasbury also dedicated a ringing to Notre Dame. “The tolling of bells has, for generations, been a sign of mourning for the loss of someone precious and, although Notre Dame is a building, there is also a sense in which it is a vital part of the very heartbeat of Paris,” Archbishop John said. The initiative was suggested by the British Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn.
Church's key role in the countryside
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he struggle of people living and working in the countryside, and the key role of the Church in helping them, was highlighted in a presentation on rural life at Governing Body. The archdeacon-designate of Cardigan, Canon Eileen Davies - a farmer herself and Rural Life Advisor for St Davids Diocese - spoke of how farmers were suffering from increasing isolation and mental health issues. She urged members to support a motion calling for each diocese to appoint a rural life advisor and develop a strategy for engaging with rural communities. A motion to affirm the role of the local church in supporting rural communities, including requesting each diocese appoints a rural life adviser, with dedicated time to carry out the role was passed by conference. Canon Davies said rural communities had changed drastically over the years and more people were becoming lonely and isolated as local facilities such as shops and pubs shut. Often it was only the church as an organisation and as a building that was left in many rural villages.
“The backbone of the countryside is agriculture and this is the industry that has the highest rate of suicide. Farmers work long hours often alone, through technology they are able to get through a great deal of work but there is no one to talk to – they are lonely and isolated and this can have far reaching consequences in terms of both physical and mental health,” said Canon Davies. She said that Rural Life Advisors, where present, did tremendous work in ensuring the church was there not only on a Sunday, but seven days of the week, visiting local livestock centres and agricultural shows. The Bishop of St Davids, Joanna Penberthy, proposed the motion, saying that she knew first hand both the joys and difficulties of life in rural areas and the vital role played by parishes. However, she warned that affirming the role of the local church meant firstly affirming the role and presence of the local church building. Rev Justin Davies, of South Gower, also welcomed the report. He called on the church to go further and encourage new industry to provide jobs and growth.
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Chrism 'a rekindling of the calling to bring bright light to dark places'
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rchbishop John led the annual Chrism Eucharist at Brecon Cathedral, reminding “all of us of our capacity to be the bearers of good news”. The service saw the blessing the holy oils and a renewal of commitment to ministry, which Archbishop John said meant a rekindling of the calling to bring “bright light to dark places”. Admitting to an addiction to news, from the local paper to world headlines, he said: "We are confronted daily by tales of crime, violence, abuse, drug use, homelessness, fraud, political chicanery and uncertainty, natural disasters, prejudice in a variety of forms – racial prejudice or because of sexual orientation – a lack of trust in previously trusted institutions, individuals, profession or disciplines. “With all that surrounding us, it’s very easy to think that there is so little
good news around and to become distracted, downhearted and disillusioned and even defeated. What can I do in the face of all of this? “One of the things that I reminded some students about recently, when they might feel that way, is that they can actually change the world. Because one act of compassion, one act of gentleness, of kindness, of mercy, of forgiveness, of love, from one person to another, changes someone’s life. And if someone’s life is changed then, as imperceptibly as it may be, the world is changed for the better.”
The day was, he said, an opportunity to “remind all of us about our capacity to be bearers of that good news, our capacity to be agents of that change, and of our common shared calling to be, and to live, as good news”. “It’s about rekindling within us, those of us who are ordained or have been commissioned or confirmed, something of the excitement, something about the sense of being called to do something positive and good. "About rekindling that sense to go to Isaiah of being anointed, to be, to do and to bring good news and bright light into dark places, into places of gloom and sorrow and perplexity. “It’s not just paying lip service to those principles, but to be rekindled, to be people of both word and action in the name of light, truth and justice.”
30 Cymuned Haf/Summer 2019
Have your say on future of mission and ministry Fundraising's a piece of cake The Parish of South West Gower has raised £1,900 to help the Wales Refugee Council’s work. The money was raised through cake a plant sale at Horton Hall – the second year that the parish has raised money for the organisation. Pictured are Priest in Charge of South West Gower Justin Davies with the Welsh Refugee Council’s Lina Lia and some of her volunteers. The Welsh Refugee Council speaks out on behalf of those who are fleeing persecution, conflict and oppression and empowers asylum seekers and refugees to build new futures in Wales.
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ork is well underway on the diocese’s bid to the Church in Wales’ evangelism fund – 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. The diocese’s bid – which is focused on employing an evangelism enabler in each deanery – is being formulated by the evangelism group which is made up of clergy, parishioners and staff. Also part of the group is a familiar face to many in the diocese, and speaker at the 2016 diocesan conference, Mandy Bayton. Mandy is the Cinnamon Network’s Wales
adviser. Cinnamon Network aims to make it as easy as possible for local churches to transform their communities by reaching out and building life-giving relationships with those in greatest need. Mandy is currently working with ministry area leaders to produce a diocese-wide community audit which will help to benefit local ministry areas to get a snapshot of their communities. Our diocese’s churches want to ensure we serve our local communities well and we would appreciate your help by completing this simple, anonymous survey. The survey will help us identify the strengths in our communities and help us understand, more fully, the challenges our communities regularly face. You can complete the survey online at https://bit.ly/2W2pRsf
Craft group's Romania gift A blanket made by the ladies of Loughor Parish at their Craft and Chat group will be on its way to to Romania soon, together with a crochet blanket made by member Jacki Rees.
Parishioners from Builth Wells Benefice group of churches have completed the annual Rogation walk. They started from outside St Mauritius, Alltmawr and climbed the open moorland of the Epynt hills, crossing the river Duhonw to St David's, Llanddewi'r Cwm, and continuing via a bridleway and footpaths to St David's, Maesmynis for food prepared and served by church members at Maesmynis Hall. The final leg of the walk was then completed to St David's, Llanynis, where tea was served. Walkers covered a distance of seven miles and thanks went to all who took part in the ancient tradition. Photo: Ted Edwards
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Dean of Brecon Paul Shackerley opens the new children's area at Brecon Cathedral, with a little help from pupils from Priory Church in Wales Primary School
Team Meteor flying high after booking final place
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upils from Llanbedr Church in Wales Primary School have been involved in a STEM project incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths skills across the curriculum. Pupils investigated forces, weight, shape, measures, aerodynamics, speed and also researched geographical and historical evidence to make their own conclusions. The pupils wanted to put their skills into action so entered the F1 in Schools Jaguar Primary School Challenge competition. Pupils worked in teams to design and manufacture a car taking into account aerodynamics, drag, friction, weight and image. Pupils used Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) to design and
make their final car which they took to the South Wales finals at the Waterfront Museum in Swansea. Two teams represented the school
on the day – Team Meteor and Team Lightning Bolt where they presented their findings to the judges, gave an engineering talk about their car, presented their pit display and portfolio of their work and finally raced their car. The pupils gained experiences not only in learning and developing skills but also in perseverance, team work, confidence and achievement. After much competition at the Waterfront Museum in Swansea Team Meteor were awarded first place gaining the title regional champions. Team Meteor will now compete against teams from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland at the national event at the Motor Museum in Warwick.
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