Diocese of

YR EGLWYS YNG NGHYMRU | THE CHURCH IN Autumn 2016

Singing from a new hymn sheet Inside Drones map churchyards Chaplaincy behind bars Gateway to Communion widens

My Dear Friends, Commission come to this conclusion and the Bishops have decided that from this In January 2015 at the request of the what happens to Confirmation? There Advent Sunday we are giving permission Bishops, the Doctrinal Commission of is no doubt that in the early Church, for all who are baptised to receive Holy the produced a report Baptism, Eucharist and First Communion Communion. No one should be obliged to on Baptism and Confirmation. It came to happened at the same time. From about receive if they do not wish to do so. That is the conclusion that Baptism should be the fifth century, the Church in the a personal decision for each individual but recognised as the full and complete rite of West (but not the Church in the East), no barrier should be erected to prevent initiation and that being so, all the baptised separated the sacrament of Baptism (in anyone who is baptised from receiving should be admitted to Communion which a person becomes a member of communion. without first having to be confirmed. the Body of Christ) from the ceremony of Confirmation then becomes, not the That conclusion did not represent a new Confirmation, when the Bishop as Chief gateway to Communion but the response radical theology on the part of the Church Pastor welcomed the newly baptised, of those baptised, if they wish to do so, in Wales in 2015 but was the view of a laid hands upon them (Confirmation) and to affirm their faith, as members of the previous Doctrinal Commission in 1971, gave them Communion for the first time. Church and as a commissioning for and of a Commission From the thirteenth century it became serving God’s Church and world. Every in the same year, the custom for no-one to be allowed to parish priest will receive papers from the to say nothing receive Communion without first having Bench explaining all this shortly. of similar been confirmed. So the three ceremonies This is not such a huge change as some ecumenical which the early church had held together, of you may think. Since 2002 we have viewpoints were separated and so the pattern with admitted children to Holy Communion, on the which we are familiar was established, on an experimental basis, without first subject. namely Baptism in infancy, Confirmation confirming them. We are now recognising Two at puberty with people being enabled at that since baptism is biblically and questions that point to receive Communion. The fact theologically complete in itself as initiation immediately is however, that theologically speaking into the Body of Christ, we ought not to arise from once a person is baptised, he or she is a deny Communion to all who are baptised. all this. Why member of the Body of Christ and part of did the what that means is the ability to receive Yours in God’s love communion. In other words, nothing except baptism is required to become a communicant. In the light of all this and after holding a discussion with members of the Governing Body in September 2015,

‘Biblical stories can reveal a new understanding of same-sex relationships’

Studying the Bible in its full context can He showed how the Bible had more lead to a very different view of same-sex than one view on homosexuality, as well relationships than that traditionally held by as other important issues, as the authors the Church, says the Archbishop. of its books developed and changed their whole and In his final address as President of the opinions. To understand God’s will, he discern, often through stories, Governing Body of the Church in Wales, suggested, meant seeing the different the direction in which it is leading. Holy Dr , responded to claims views in the context of the Bible as a Scripture, in other words, contains not that he and his fellow bishops had been whole, and, in particular, the ministry of just ethical injunctions but stories, and “swayed by the liberal culture of our age” Jesus. stories convey truth about peoples’ and “ignored Holy Scripture” in issuing He said, “It absolutely will not do to understanding of God. After all, Jesus prayers earlier this year that could be said quote texts from parts of the Bible in a spent most of His life telling stories to with same-sex couples following their civil simplistic way without reference to their get people to understand the nature and partnership or marriage. contexts. One has to treat the Bible as a character of God.”

2 | CROESO Autumn 2016 NEWS

Archbishop of Wales

Tributesto retire have been paid into the ArchbishopJanuary of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, who will retire next year after nearly 14 years at the helm of the Church in Wales and 24 years as a bishop.

Dr Morgan, who is the longest serving enormously hard to bear. a positive impact on the lives of so many archbishop in the worldwide Anglican “Over the years I have seen Wales grow people from Wales’ religious communities, Communion and also one of the longest in self-confidence as a nation and I now and has encouraged the establishment serving bishops, will retire on his 70th have every hope that this will be nurtured of good community relations across the birthday at the end of January. He will also and enriched with the continued support of country.” retire as after more than the Church in Wales.” The Bishop of Swansea 17 years service, having previously been During his tenure as Archbishop, Dr and Brecon, John Davies, for nearly seven years. Morgan has championed many changes paid tribute to Dr Morgan’s Paying tribute to his ministry, the in the Church in Wales, including a change courageous leadership described Dr in its law to enable women to be ordained given to both the two Morgan as an “extraordinary servant” as bishops and the implementation of a dioceses in which he has who would be “deeply missed” while the radical strategy, 2020 Vision, to help the served as bishop and to First Minister of Wales praised his “vast church grow and prosper in the approach the Province of Wales. He contribution” to Welsh life. Wales’ senior to its centenary year. He has also played said, “Barry is a man of undoubtedly strong bishop, the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, a prominent role in public life, campaigning views and clear Christian convictions. He praised his “courageous leadership” of the most notably for a fair devolution settlement has, from a Christian and humanitarian Church in Wales. for the Welsh Government and speaking perspective, championed the causes of Announcing his retirement, Dr Morgan, out on matters of moral concern. women’s rights, gender equality and social who sadly lost his wife, Hilary, to cancer The Archbishop of justice, and has been unafraid to speak out early this year, said, “It has been an Canterbury, Justin Welby, publicly on these and many other issues.” enormous privilege to serve as Archbishop said, “Barry has been an Originally from the small mining village of Wales and Bishop of Llandaff and to do extraordinary servant of of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen in the Swansea so during such a momentous era in Welsh those places where he has valley, Dr Morgan was elected as the 12th life. It’s been a rollercoaster ride but all ministered, of the Church in 2003, following Dr along I have been sustained and inspired in Wales and of the whole on his appointment as by the people I meet, day in day out, who Anglican Communion. We Archbishop of Canterbury. live out God’s love in every part of Wales will miss him very deeply indeed.” through their commitment and devotion to The First Minister for Wales, Carwyn We’d like to share your memories of their churches and communities. Jones, said, “I greatly the Archbishop in the next edition “I would like to thank all those who value the vast contribution of Croeso. Please send pictures have supported, shared and upheld me Dr Barry Morgan has and stories to alisonyoung@ in my ministry over the years, particularly made during the past 14 churchinwales.org.uk since Hilary’s death – the loss of her love, years as Archbishop of encouragement and friendship has been Wales. He has had such

Keeping church safe A new safeguarding policy to protect each diocese including the appointment Barring Service) checks children, young people and vulnerable of Mrs Liz Tibbatts in Llandaff, who is the need to be renewed adults in churches has been launched by first point of contact for anything relating every 3-5 years? and the Church in Wales. to advice and support about safeguarding that the applicant now It was endorsed last month by members within the parishes. has to return the original of the Church’s Governing Body, who were Liz said, “The principles of our result to the RB as the asked to recognise the importance of safeguarding policy apply to anyone DBS no longer do this. promoting safer practice for attending church (this includes clergy, Safeguarding training for laity has people at risk within church parishioners and laity) as well as any church begun to be delivered within the diocese. communities. led activity which may or may not be held If you have any questions about DBS or It follows the on church premises. We must ensure that safeguarding support requirements please development of a those who work with children, young people contact Liz Tibbatts on 07881 016187 Provincial team of and/or vulnerable adults are well advised [email protected] safeguarding support about the issues around safeguarding.” For more information visit http://llandaff. officers based within Did you know that DBS (Disclosure and churchinwales.org.uk/safeguarding/

CROESO Autumn 2016 | 3 NEWS

CommunionA parish charity shop set up by parishioners and 20 years a ago tocuppa help people in the at community Theo’s welcomed a visit from the Archbishop of Wales.

Dr Barry Morgan, dropped into Theo’s in service on a Wednesday morning. Theo’s Huntley-Williams, Heulwen Strathearn and Kenvig Hill recently and was shown around is open each weekday from 9.30am until Susan Davies (pictured left to right) said, by parish priest Father Jon Durley and 4.30pm and on Saturday mornings selling “The parish shop at Kenfig Hill fulfils more some of the 30 volunteers who help out a range of second hand clothing and goods than one purpose. It provides all kinds of in the shop-cum community space/coffee such as games, jigsaws, soft furnishings, clothes and articles for people who simply shop. china and books. have not got the money It was six years ago that the parish Fr Jon said, “Theo’s to buy new things. It is a decided to move Theo’s from its previous has gone from strength to “Seeking to live safe meeting place for all rented premises in Commercial Street to strength, bringing new life kinds of organisations. It its current central location in Bridge to this part of Kenfig Hill. out the gospel” offers hospitality and offers Street when the old under This mission base has also a bridge back into church used church hall was provided space for the mid-week Eucharist worship by holding informal Eucharists on sold and a former which has seen a marked growth in the its premises. In short, it is seeking to live solicitors office congregation; a craft club on a Tuesday out the gospel.” was purchased. evening; plus space for Lent study groups Enid Rymer, 80, who volunteers in the The project was and Lent lunches; and a meeting space for cafe said, “This is an excellent service that led by church pastoral engagement and a parish office. is being provided to the community. More wardens “Also the parish was able to provide people come to the mid week Eucharist David-Lloyd affordable rented housing through the now because this is such a convenient Jones and provision of a one bedroomed flat, located central location.” Margaret on top of the shop. Another volunteer Sandra Chapman, 73, Philips. “A recent development of this venture said, “Volunteering is a great way of keeping As well as is the provision of emergency food boxes busy and socialising. It also enables us to providing space in partnership with the Bridgend Food practice our faith because quite often some for the shop and Bank on Monday and Saturday mornings. customers will want to have a chat and we coffee shop, the “Funds raised from the shop/cafe all go can offer that listening ear.” new community space to church funds for future plans to develop The community shop was initially provides a meeting place for St Theodore’s as a community hub.” opened in 1996 and was set up to fund the various clubs plus a mid week Eucharist Dr Morgan, who met volunteers Maxine re-roofing of St Theodore’s parish church.

Youth Forum to be set up in Llandaff A Diocesan Youth Forum is to be set up The Departments for Youth and Diocesan Youth Officer, the Revd Dr to strengthen links with young people in Children, that carried out the study, plans to Sarah Rogers said, “We need to make Church and feed into a Wales wide group. set up a Diocesan Youth Forum to increase young people feel a valued part of the The idea for establishing a group engagement with young people and retain church. Many churches actively engage specifically for youngsters in Llandaff their attendance. It coincides with a plan to young people in the liturgy or encourage follows a study of church attendance figures establish a Provisional Youth Forum for 12 them in leadership in other ways, but for children and young people in Llandaff to 17-year-olds, with two representatives they are in the minority and that needs to that showed a big drop in attendance from from each diocese, that will have an active change. the age of eleven onwards. role in Governing Body.

More than Money Everyone involved with funding and to an event on Saturday 12th November, Further information visit http://llandaff. resourcing of their local church is invited 8.30am-1.15pm, at St Teilo’s School, Cardiff. churchinwales.org.uk/ - SALT programme.

4 | CROESO Autumn 2016 NEWS

Drone in flight at St Nicholas Church

Managing your churchyard the modern way Using technology to record church history can not only bring information to a wider audience but safeguard its future too.

Here Care of Churches Officer Sarah Perons shows how drones are helping ‘breathe life’ into ancient churchyards.

Picture the scene. It’s the 5th November. works like this. The churchyard is mapped A village is holding a fireworks display with using a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or accompanying bonfire. But all is not going drone). At the same time the church burial as planned and the bonfire’s slow to get registers are scanned and the headstones focussed going. There’s general agreement that in the churchyard are photographed. All on four churchyards more material is needed to really get the these elements are then linked together around the diocese as pilot fire going. One churchgoer has a bright on the database that gives easy access projects for the system: Holy Trinity, idea – those old books in the church vestry to users to update and maintain the burial Ystrad Mynach, St Augustine, Penarth, would be just the thing to stoke the fire… records, maps and plans. You can search St Mary, Glyntaff and St Nicholas in the And so it is that the to find specific Vale of Glamorgan. At the latter the aerial burial registers of graves by names mapping and recording took place with an unnamed parish or date or more the help of local schoolchildren from (not in this diocese!) complex searches St Nicholas Church in Wales Junior go up in flames such as “all graves School. Everyone concerned enjoyed and with them an dated between the experience and it proved a great way irreplaceable part 1914 and 1918”. to combine technology with aspects of of the history of The mapping can the school curriculum. The aerial view that area. True story assist with the produced can be seen above as it appears apparently. Unlikely forward planning to a user of the system. Left is an example to happen here? of burial ground of how information appears on the BGMS. Perhaps so, but all sorts of factors can put management. This includes health and Once the data collected has been your registers at risk – arson, theft, water safety (e.g. unstable headstones) and processed for all four churchyards and is damage, loss. the maintenance of grassed areas and on the system we’ll run a six month trial As a diocese we’re looking at one way to pathways etc. Additional packages offer with the parishes concerned to test its user protect against this and to make churchyard underground utility mapping, 3D plans/ friendliness. If you’re interested in finding management simpler all round - the Burial elevations of church buildings, and rare out more about all this please contact me Ground Management System, a software flora mapping. at the Diocesan Office. sarahperons@ package offered by Atlantic Geomatics. It Working with Atlantic Geomatics we’ve churchinwales.org.uk

CROESO Autumn 2016 | 5 NEWS © Huw Riden © Huw Riden

Rhondda vicar on mission to save Welsh hymn tunes A Rhondda vicar is on a mission to save into people’s lives through his Music in the concerned – has observed with concern traditional Welsh hymns and the culture Community scheme, says, “The idea for the the decline in the great musical tradition of of hymn singing by giving their words a book came from a conversation with Rowan Welsh Christianity and has worked tirelessly modern make-over. Williams who grew up in Swansea not far and imaginatively for many years to counter Inspired by a conversation with the from where I did in Port Talbot. He was that decline and to promote the best of this former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan saying how sad it was that all those lovely tradition, creating new opportunities for Williams, Father Paul Bigmore wants to hymn tunes and melodies we were brought young people to learn and enjoy. breathe new life into the stirring hymns he up with were dying out fast. I decided there He said the collection was “a welcome learnt as a child but which are now rarely and then to do something about it. resource – and a reminder of how a sung due to their old-fashioned words “Singing is part of our Welsh tradition precious past can be turned into a hopeful and also the decline of the Welsh non- and culture, particularly in the Rhondda. We future, given the commitment and flair of a conformist chapels. have a rich heritage of tunes that needs to dedicated personality like Fr Paul.” His book of 50 hymns, re-written in be nurtured. My aim is to give these tunes a The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry simpler language more likely to appeal to new lease of life by giving them words that Morgan, adds, “Music and hymnody can people today, were dedicated and launched people will understand and remember.” help us to express our deepest feelings and last month by the Archbishop of Wales. In his foreword, Lord Williams says, “It is desires as few other things can. Through Father Paul Bigmore, who serves in a tragedy when the heritage of theology and both, we can speak to God and God can Ynyshir, in the Rhondda Valley – an area devotion expressed in song fades away. touch our hearts. This is precisely what this once internationally famous for its hymn Fr Paul – another visionary book of new hymns to familiar tunes does singing – has called the book Songs Of where choral music is and Paul Bigmore has put us all in his debt.” Praise The Valleys Sing. It includes tunes Songs of Praise The Valleys Sing is of once very well known Welsh hymns printed by Gomer Press and costs £10 with such as Blaenwern, Berwyn, Rachie, all proceeds going to the charity Dreams Ar Hyd Y Nos and Rhys. and Wishes which supports seriously ill The foreword is written by Lord children and their families. Williams, President of the Hymn The book is available from Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Churches Together Book Shop, who describes the book as a Windsor Place, Cardiff, Tel: 029 2022 “welcome resource”. 7736 or from Fr Paul Bigmore on Fr Paul, who has dedicated much [email protected] , Tel: 01443 of his ministry to bringing music back 684148 or (07803) 629051.

Chance to explore different forms of prayer and spirituality More than 120 people gathered for the deeper and more honest prayer life’. with such determination to make prayer first ever Diocesan Festival of Prayer Following the enthusiastic response to a fuller part of their lives,” said Diocesan – which was ‘brilliant’ according to the summer’s Festival, preparations are Spirituality Advisor Canon Dr Sarah participants, ‘a wonderful opportunity underway for another Festival on July 1, Rowland Jones. “We’re already praying, to explore different forms of prayer and 2017. and planning, for 2017!” spirituality’ and ‘helpful in encouraging a “We are delighted so many came,

6 | CROESO Autumn 2016 SCHOOL NEWS

Demand for places in Church schools continues to rise By Canon Edwin Counsell, Diocesan Director of Education

The new school year is well underway love and forgiveness which can be seen in • Think about ways your church and more families in Wales than ever have the classroom, in school worship and in the can serve its local schools. That chosen to send their children to a Church everyday life of the school. might be anything from offering in Wales school. There are 154 Anglican Each year we ask children aged 9 to 11 to buy some Religious Education schools across Wales serving more than about their attitudes to faith and the Church. resources to promising to pray © Huw Riden © Huw Riden 26,000 pupils, while in the Llandaff Diocese This year’s data tells us that more than for the children and staff every our 25 schools have around 25% of older primary school Sunday. 8,500 children and young Learn in an children in Church schools • Ask the teachers in your people. Put another way, “ across Wales, attend a place congregation to suggest that’s about the same share atmosphere of of worship at least once a opportunities for local schools of the UK’s new car market month. That isn’t necessarily to use your church as a place of as BMW or, if it’s combined Christian love and an Anglican Church and learning. with the Church school it might be something like • Be honest about what the places offered by the Roman forgiveness” Messy Church, or even a experience of church might be like Catholic Church, then we’re place of worship of another for children and families in your on a par with the market share of new cars faith. It’s also important to remember that community. sold by Ford! the survey is completed by children, who *If you would like advice or suggestions A much more stark statistic is that might have a very different idea to us about about ways of supporting work with schools, we have rather more children attending what ‘church’ means. please contact the Diocesan Education our Church in Wales schools, both in our So if you’re looking around your church Department at the Diocesan Office Diocese and nationally, than we have people on a Sunday morning and wondering “why [email protected] attending our churches. While too many of don’t we have any children?”: our parishes are showing a steady decline in numbers, demand for Church school places has never been stronger. Several hundred applications for schools in our Diocese had to be turned down by us this year, simply because there are not enough places. One solution might be to build more Church in Wales schools, but that’s not as easy as it sounds. Our schools are part of a network that provides school places for the vast majority of children in Wales. Some Church in Wales schools give priority to families who are practicing Christians. Yet in reality, most simply want their children to have a sound education and they see the benefit of their learning being underpinned by a strong and Canon Edwin Counsell pictured (centre) with Bishop David at this summer’s school leavers’ service held at , when 500 pupils gathered to distinctive Christian character. That means mark the end of their years in primary school. children learn in an atmosphere of Christian

Join the Independent Education Appeals Panel The is looking bring an appeal against the decision appeals panel members and a clerk for volunteers for the Independent made by the school’s admissions is always available to give legal and Education Appeals Panel - the body committee. The panel then decides procedural advice. We are also looking that adjudicates on parents’ appeals whether to admit a child to the school or for additional clerks to the panel. against school admissions decisions. not. Panel members do not need to have If you are interested in becoming a Several schools in Llandaff Diocese specific experience of this work, but panel member or a clerk, please email have insufficient places to ensure those with an interest in education and [email protected] that every child gets the place of their who are impartial, objective and have to request an application form or call parents’ choice. When this happens, good listening skills are invited to apply. 01656 868858. independent panels meet, if parents Full training is provided for new

CROESO Autumn 2016 | 7 FEATURE

From healthy eating to supporting women seeking Media PurpleFlame © sanctuary

Gwalia Housing support worker Ashley Dolan and young person Gabby Rogers © PurpleFlame Media © PurpleFlame Media

As Mothers’ Union celebrates its 140th anniversary, we take a look at some of the latest projects being supported by members in the diocese. Special report by Lynne Davies, president of the Llandaff Diocesan Mothers’ Union.

Two years ago a chance conversation led accommodation, with clients funding their All this information was taken back to to a new project being set up by Mothers’ own stay, paying for, and providing all the seven branches in the Deanery and it Union in the Cynon Valley Deanery, which their own food, toiletries, clothing etc. was soon agreed to provide the clients has given many food for thought. Such Gwalia staff help them with their with a fresh box of food each month. is its success that it is now set to be housing applications, work/education A branch rota was set with the clients portrayed as a case study in a film being placements, benefit applications, medical choosing the menu. The first meal was produced by Mothers’ Union nationally to issues and guide them towards a life of roast Sunday lunch – which is still the celebrate Faith in Action as part of its independence. most popular request! 140th anniversary events. On occasions clients arrive with only Under the guidance of a support worker It all began in Mountain Ash, where the clothes they stand up in and due each client is given a task - one prepares Gwalia Housing is supporting young to the circumstances they have found the meat, one the carrots and potatoes, homeless people aged 16 to 21. The themselves are unable to consider eating another cabbage, broccoli etc – and also town’s YMCA provides short stay healthily. included in the box is a treat for desert.

Celebrating 140 years of faith in action When in 1876 Mary she had gathered enough courage to lead The first Branch in Wales was formed in Sumner’s eldest her own meeting. Her plan was quite radical 1891 at Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan. In daughter gave in its day as it involved calling women of 1896 the Mothers’ Union Central Council birth she was all social classes to support one another was formed with Mary Sumner elected reminded how and to see motherhood as a profession as president. Over the 140 years Mothers’ difficult she had important as those of men, if not more so! Union has changed, you don’t have to be found the burden female, we have many male members, you of motherhood, The Mothers’ Union was limited to the don’t have to be married and you don’t particularly the Parish until 1885 when she was invited by the have to be a mother. I have no doubt that responsibility of Bishop of Newcastle who was coordinating Mary Sumner could never have imagined nurturing faith the event, to speak to women churchgoers Mothers’ Union today with four million and values in at the Portsmouth Church Congress. Her members working in 83 countries working children. Inspired, Mary, the wife of the address about national morality and the as a support network for families of all faiths Revd George Sumner, a priest in the Parish importance of women’s vocation as mothers or none. of Old Alresford, Hampshire, publicized a to change the nation for the better was so We have kept up to date with technology meeting of mothers in the Parish to offer passionate that a number of the women so we are able to communicate via email, mutual support. present went back to their parishes to found facebook and twitter. What hasn’t changed The first meeting was held in Old Alresford mothers’ meetings on Sumner’s pattern. is our members sharing a vision – to bring Rectory but Mary was so overcome by The , Edward Browne, about a world where God’s love is shown nervousness that her husband had to speak made the Mothers’ Union a diocesan through loving, respectful and flourishing for her but he invited the women to return organisation and the concept rapidly spread relationships – and all this is down to one the following week. At that second meeting to other dioceses. remarkable woman, Mary Sumner.

8 | CROESO Autumn 2016

Anita Lewis, Cynon Valley Deanery Leader

© PurpleFlame Media Media PurpleFlame © Mothers’ Union members Jean Lloyd and Margaret Earrey © PurpleFlame Media Media PurpleFlame ©

The feedback has been amazing, and after sitting together at the first lunch similar way at their project in the Rhondda. the first comment made was, “this is like Since then branches in the Rhondda worker. By providing toiletries, being in a family”. Deanery are providing monthly fresh food good quality, clean clothes, and other Through the generosity of the Cynon boxes to Gwalia’s project working with essential items for her ladies and their Valley branches, toiletries are also and supporting clients with mental health children, Mothers’ Union is again making supplied on a regular basis. Starter boxes issues. an enormous difference. including a towel and underwear have Meanwhile, Father Jonathan Durley, As family life and society in general is been provided and gifts are taken at Community Development Officer and changing, the need for Mothers’ Union and Easter. Mothers’ Union branches in the Margam support is greater than ever and these are The Deanery has a good relationship Deanery have been supporting WSSAG just two of many projects throughout this with Gwalia staff, who have made visits Wales (Women Seeking Sanctuary Diocese that demonstrate the Christian to most branches to speak on their work, Advocacy Group). Faith in action. and on occasions a young person will also When Louise Barham, a member If you are not a member why not go along. of his congregation became Mothers’ consider joining us so that we can make From the outset it was essential our Union’s Faith and Policy Co-ordinator at this 140th anniversary year very special. aim was to promote independence and the beginning of this year she invited all May we continue to make prayer central we are delighted that this is proving the Deaneries to St Theodore’s, Kenfig Hill to to all that we do so we can ensure this case. Not only is Mothers’ Union making a meet Constance, the lady who started this wonderful organisation continues as our difference to these young people but also project in Cardiff a few years ago. founder Mary Sumner would have wished, our work is being recognised by Gwalia Through Louise’s hard work and supporting marriage and family life. Care and Support. enthusiasm other Mothers’ Union For information about Mothers’ Union At the beginning of last year they branches are now supporting Constance, in the Llandaff Diocese contact Lynne on contacted us to ask if we could help in a who has recently qualified as a social [email protected]

Following in their grandmothers’ footsteps It’s a family affair for Eglwysilan Mothers’ Union with some of today’s members Celebrating 140 years of faith in action being granddaughters of the founding members of the branch which was set up on September 8, 1916. That first group, which met in the then 11-year-old St Peter’s Church, began its life in unimaginably difficult times as it was just under three years after the Senghenydd disaster that left the village with more than 200 widows and 542 fatherless children. St Peter’s itself lost 49 of its congregation and on top of this in Hospitality has also been a feature September 1916 the Battle of the of the Mothers’ Union and its role in Somme was still raging. The vision to the church. An important event for the set up a Mothers’ Union Branch in these churches in the Aber Valley for many circumstances shows the resilience of years was the Whitsun parade which minding both the community and church. was always followed by a tea party for St the children of One family can recall their grandmother Peter’s Sunday School, provided by the prisoners so that their mother can visit describing how the branch at this time did Mothers’ Union. their father. sewing to raise funds for the church and The branch supports the Mothers’ Since the 1990’s the branch has through the years the Mothers’ Union has Union diocesan caravan in Trecco Bay, admitted men as members and is now continued to contribute to church funds – Porthcawl, which provides a free holiday looking to merge with Caerphilly into a donating the font in St Peter’s and money to those who otherwise would not have new benefice-wide branch as it looks to buy the oak altar rail. one. Members also support the initiative of forward to a new chapter in its history.

CROESO Autumn 2016 | 9 AROUND THE DIOCESE Around the Diocese Parishioners sing 140 hymns

The first verses of 140 hymns were sung by parishioners in a fundraising hymnathon. The sponsored hymn singing event Anniversary celebrated was staged by parishioners from St Illtyd’s, Bridgend to raise funds for the Mothers’ Union ‘Away From it All’ caravan, with 20 acts of kindness in recognition of the organisation’s 140th anniversary. Twenty acts of kindness within the community are being carried out Realising that an organist would never by parishioners to celebrate a church’s 20th birthday. cope with the pace of changing styles and sheet music, the digital hymnal was St Mary’s, Brackla was set up within As the congregation grew the services programmed by the Vicar, the Revd David Archdeacon John Lewis Church in Wales developed into a regular Sunday morning Lloyd to play the hymns without pause Primary school to serve the surrounding Eucharist with a Sunday school for children, except for a short intro to each piece. large housing estate and now members are and monthly family services. The school The singers had a short break for cold celebrating its anniversary by reaching out was an integral part of the development drinks after the first 70 hymn verses and to help those less fortunate than themselves. of the Church and most months one class then went straight back to the challenge A variety of acts ranging from food bank from the school would be invited to lead the which took more than two hours to donations to hospital visiting, providing worship at the family service. complete items for a local hostel and giving clothes Patterns of worship generally followed As a joke at the end, Mr Lloyd and bedding to a homeless charity have traditional services but were in a more programmed the machine to play the already been carried out by parishioners informal setting than in the traditional Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah and more are planned. churches, appealing to the young families - thinking they’d all be worn out and be “These acts of kindness are intended to in the area, but also providing a service for happy to stop. However, everyone stood serve the community in general and have older residents. up and belted out the last song. More than been successful and rewarding for those In 2002 a new hall was added to the £550 was raised in total. involved and it is hoped will help those less school and set aside as a sacred space fortunate than ourselves and may also lead for use by the school and the parish. The to more long term contact and assistance, church was officially adopted as St Mary’s, “ said Mr Stuart Davidson of St Mary’s, Brackla and the parish become the Parish of Brackla. Coity, Nolton and Brackla. It was in the mid-1990s when Brackla Since that time weekly services have in Bridgend had developed into one of the been held in the school hall and the Church largest housing estate in the country that the has continued to develop and flourish school was first used as a place of worship. offering a style of worship which reflects The estate is situated mid way between the more modern attitudes and embraces all two parish churches. ages. The café-style services held twice a Initially family services were held monthly month are a great success. in the school gym and developed into A celebration service was held last month Mothers’ Union members (left to weekly services which were normally led by and other churches in the parish have been right) Beverley Lloyd, Frances lay people and geared towards families with invited to join the Brackla congregation McConville and Hilary Markwell young children. members in fulfilling the 20 acts of kindness. Parish buy vital equipment for local hospital

Vital hospital equipment purchased from the church warden Rob Jenkins (pictured the proceeds of the annual Christmas Tree right), who was an inpatient at the centre Festival at Llantrisant Church has been last year. presented to Velindre Cancer Centre. The Christmas Tree Festival in Llantrisant Two vital signs monitors and four weight has grown considerably since it began 14 and height machines were presented to years ago. This year’s festival will take place staff from church representatives including over the weekend of December 2 – 4.

10 | CROESO Autumn 2016 Brushing away the cobwebs

Ladies with a head for heights took a ride in a mini ‘cherry picker’ to brush away the church cobwebs.

Barbara Turner and Allyson Hanks volunteered to carry out the high powered dusting job at St Martin’s Church, Caerphilly after a mini ‘cherry picker’ was hired for a clean up job of the church windows. By carrying out the work themselves they were able to keep costs down as well as enjoy some great views. “Many people thought we were mad, but I had already been up in a cherry picker to view the tiles on the church roof. The views of Caerphilly and the Churchyard were amazing,” said Barbara Turner. “We needed to take great care of the “What a privilege it was to have been “Before we boarded the work windows as they were so old, so only the first people to reach this height in the platform with our brushes and feather light dusting was done. The sills below church in decades and to enjoy a fantastic dusters we were thick with years of dust so brushes bird’s eye view of the church.” were issued were needed. We went up and down • A celebration was held recently to with eye cleaning each pair of windows with the mark phase 2 of the development protection operator moving the machine and Allyson of St Martin’s which included the glasses manoeuvring us up and down. We also handing over of the car park, two and dust dusted the walls and arches. new internal toilet, a new west door masks and “The next day another team of and new disabled entry to the tower. given safety volunteers arrived to clean the floors and The event included choir singing, instructions furniture, replace the pews and chairs and an Aikido display, a photographic such as not polish and buff the floors. It was great to presentation on the development leaning over have so many people working together to and a hog roast. the side. get all the jobs done. St David’s Church celebrates 150 years of ministry in

The community in Neath is gearing up launched on September 29th. this building. for a rather special birthday – the 150th It features events from throughout “The actual anniversary of the town’s St David’s Church. the church’s 150-year history, and also anniversary will The eye-catching church is one of the includes more recent happenings such be on November main features of the town, and it is regarded as the £500,000 restoration of the Tower, 29th, and as we as a symbol of Neath. which inspired the community and attracted celebrate our Built in 1866 on land donated by local support from across the globe. anniversary benefactor, Alderman Howel Gwyn, its The book launch was held during a in a variety of Gothic style design was chosen by the special flower festival held in St David’s as ways this year, Victorian townsfolk to reflect the increasing part of the celebrations. we hope that status of Neath as an important industrial Canon Ryan, said, “The 150th this book will offer the centre. anniversary of St David’s was thought an opportunity to learn more about the church Canon Stephen Ryan, Rector of Neath, appropriate time to revisit the story of our and its importance in the town, and we said, “When St David’s was built its style church from its conception to the present know it will provide moments of nostalgia. was considered contemporary, and it day. The book makes reference to earlier “We trust it will show that God’s ministry must have seemed very ambitious to the publications, documents and images and is alive and vibrant and that positive and people of the time. Even in these modern is combined with up-to-date colourful challenging steps are being taken to ensure days the church’s scale evokes a sense photographs and references demonstrating the continuation of worship in our church for of amazement and the Vaughan Tower is the work and ministry of the church. another fifty years.” almost the ‘icon’ of the town of Neath.” “The intention has been not to write a For more information please call: As part of St David’s anniversary complete history but rather to create a record 01639 646612 or email rectorneath@ celebrations a commemorative book was of the celebration of God’s work through btinternet.com

CROESO Autumn 2016 | 11 PROFILE

Chaplaincy ‘behind bars’ Managing chaplain to public sector prisons in Wales, Nick Sanford is responsible for inmates and staff at Cardiff, Swansea, Usk and Prescoed prisons.

“How did you end up in Prison”? is a of prison chaplains must represent question that I am often asked and the diverse make-up of the prison sometimes raises an eyebrow in an population and work together in an innocent onlooker. inter-faith manner. Inter-faith teams The answer could be ‘by accident’ or may be new to many people but it is the ‘by design’ but certainly, initially, not by norm in prisons. choice. I was appointed as a curate in A chaplain’s role is not to make St John’s Parish in Cardiff city centre in converts, but to address the spiritual 1991. With that appointment came the needs of those in our care. We do role of sessional chaplain covering the this first and foremost through weekly prison on the regular chaplain’s day off. acts of worship but also through study Then followed a similar role in Swansea classes. Before I started working in before I became a full-time chaplain prisons, I had never been asked for a men address their offending behaviour. in various South Wales prisons. Now Bible, now it is a regular occurrence. If people leave prison and commit I am responsible for managing the One job that falls to the chaplain is further crime, they also make new chaplaincy teams in Cardiff, Swansea, breaking bad news about family to a victims. Swansea chaplaincy run a Usk and Prescoed prisons. prisoner. Tragic news is difficult enough course called the Sycamore Tree, that Team working is an essential part of to deal with when we are surrounded by encourages the men to think about the prison chaplaincy. Prisons, like society family, but it is so much harder when effects of their crime. For some, this generally, are made up of people of all you live in a cell with a stranger. We can lead on to meeting their victims backgrounds and cultures. Everybody use the chapel as a place for quiet (Restorative Justice) where they can held in custody has the right to practice contemplation (prisons are full of noise) understand the impact of their actions their faith and receive visits from a so that the news can sink in. on their victims. representative of that faith. A team As chaplains we also try to help the Our statutory duties include seeing all new men who have entered the prison the previous day. Entering prison can be a bewildering experience for both men in prison and their families. On induction we seek to identify any religion and any needs associated with it (such as diet or religious dress and artefacts). But we also aim to highlight any personal needs that the men might have (how do you deal with a dog that is locked in your home when you are in a prison cell?) and see how these can be dealt with. Men who are in the specialist units such as the care and separation or healthcare units can often feel isolated or depressed as they are removed from the routine of prison life, so it is important to ensure some level of face to face communication takes place. We are a team and we respond to requests from the men who may just want a chat.

12 | CROESO Autumn 2016 FEATURE

Following in the footsteps of pilgrims

Since the restoration of the Medieval Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk, 85 years ago, Welsh pilgrims have continued to pick up the pilgrimage trail. The Revd Dean Atkins led this summer’s South Wales Pilgrimage.

The journey is long. On a good day, is a replica of the Nazareth home of Mary The 2017 South Wales Walsingham we make it inside six hours, a comfort where words of welcome are well known, Pilgrimage takes place from 24 – 27 stop included. On other occasions, the where Gabriel greeted Mary with the great July. For details contact Fr Dean Atkins combination of roadworks, tedious traffic ‘Ave.’ It is here, yes here, that we receive 029 20487777 or email datkins16@ and trawling tractors through country a fresh vision of Mary’s love. She draws btinternet.com lanes adds an hour…or sometimes two. us closer to her son and Saviour. This year was a good year. For us who journey from South Wales on October Devotions to Our Lady of As pilgrims alight with crumpled this particular pilgrimage in July each year, Walsingham takes place at St Agnes’ clothes and aching legs from too much we have the comfort of usually being the Church, Port Talbot on Saturday 15 sitting down, there is a sense of relief that only pilgrim group, the largest of the year October beginning with Sung Mass at we are here. The Shrine Church of Our so it happens. Three whole days of worship 12 noon. Lady of Walsingham is a welcome sight and prayer, including the Ministry of Healing for tired eyes. And now, yes now, already and Sprinkling with the waters of the holy In the year 1061, Richeldis, the the journey has been worth its while as well. There are Stations of the Cross and Lady of the Manor, received a luggage is carried, pulled and dragged Eucharistic Adoration, and the sound of vision to build the holy house. For across the cobbled stones. prayers as groups make Intercession in the those who could not make the long There is time to settle in and settle Holy House. There are processions too, journey to the Holy Land, this was down, to make oneself feel quite at home torch-lit and touched by song. a welcome housing development. in an array of eclectic buildings pieced Each day, there is a sung celebration For now, the homeliness of the together around gorgeous gardens with of Mass, and there are six homilies in all. divine could be experienced - in what became known as England’s a lavender trail which courts the shrine. Yes, there is a packed out programme of Nazareth. Pilgrims prayed, healing Here is a place where many pilgrims from prayer but there is much socialising too. was experienced, and God did South Wales and far further away have As Thursday arrives, and the final what God does with his grace. always felt quite at home for at the heart Mass celebrated, it is time to say farewell. of the Shrine is the Holy House of Mary, For some, bones still ache and ailments And yet, shrines, like pilgrims, are a simple structure which celebrates the continue, and yet there is a lightness and fragile. Five hundred years later, Annunciation of the Lord, the moment brightness of spirit, a revived faith, a grace the Holy House was destroyed by of Incarnation. This is a far-away place filled strength, hearts filled with hope. And Henry VIII. The image of Our Lady and, yet, very down to now, on the return journey, the Hiraeth of Walsingham was pulled from earth. Here the Divine of our homeland calls. When we make her place and given up to flames. It was not until the 1920s that and the mundane pilgrimage to Walsingham, whether going through the vision meet, holiness and there or coming back, we are always of Fr Alfred Hope intimacy literally line going home. Patten, the Vicar the pilgrim’s way. of Walsingham, The Holy House a new shrine was built, and the Holy House restored. COMINGS & GOINGS

Paul Tucker has worked at the Diocesan Office at Coychurch, Bridgend for three-and-a-half years as the finance assistant. He works on the day to day finances of the diocese, such as purchase and sales ledger work and monitoring parish share payments.

Q What’s the best thing about your job? This could help us learn from each A Hearing all the good things that the other and also encourage collaborative church and schools do for people working with more joined up thinking. and the community. Also, being directly involved in the great work that Q What’s the most unusual thing you the WODS (Widows, Orphans and have had to do as part of your job? Dependants Society) charity does. A Probably receiving a call from a lady who was being haunted by her late Q What’s the worst thing about your job? husband,who didn’t want her to move on. A Dealing with utility companies - BT is It’s definitely something I wouldn’t usually especially difficult. encounter in a finance role anywhere else, but I tried my best to console her and Q Name one thing that you think would point her in the right direction. help make the office/the diocese run better? Q What’s your favourite karaoke song? A I think better communication links A It has to be ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, throughout the whole organisation. From great song. Or if the weather is bad, parishes to dioceses and through to the maybe ‘Rain is a Good Thing’ - just to Take Five RB, as well as between diocesan offices. put a positive spin on it!

The Revd Anthony Beer, formerly Team Appointments Vicar in the Rectorial Leaving Priest returns Benefice of Llantwit The Revd Rachel Major, is the new home to the Simpson, curate in priest-in-charge of Llantwit Major has Merthyr Valley Laleston and Merthyr moved to the diocese Mawr with Penyfai. He was licensed on of Swansea and It was a double home September 19. Brecon following her coming for the Revd marriage to Swansea Caroline Owen as The Revd Tom Bates, vicar the Revd Steven Bunting in July. she has returned not only to her Merthyr formerly assistant Valley roots but to the Llandaff Diocese. curate of Merthyr The widow of a former Rector of Tydfil, St David Dowlais, Mrs Owen has been licensed and Abercanaid, as priest-in-charge of her late husband’s has moved to the Retiring parish of Dowlais and Penydarren. Caroline Rectorial Benefice of The Revd Helen O’Shea retires as Rector returned to the Llandaff Diocese after four Eglwysilan and Caerphilly, where he has of Cilybebyll at the end of October after four years serving in the Diocese of Swansea been licensed as assistant curate. years in post. Previously she was priest- and Brecon in the Benefice of Dan-yr Epynt, in-charge of Cwmavon and prior to that near Brecon. The new Area Dean was curate at Llangynwyd. She began her Originally from Merthyr, Caroline met her for Penarth and Barry ministry as curate NSM in Skewen and was late husband Tony Crockett while working for is the Revd Andrew hospital chaplain at Morriston from 1999 the Children’s Society. In 2004 he became James who takes -2001. the Bishop of Bangor, and two years later over from Canon The Revd Mike he ordained Caroline in . Peter Cox. Lewis, curate at She served in the Bangor Diocese as NSM Laleston and Merthyr for two years before returning to the Llandaff Mawr retired at the Llandaff welcomes new officer Diocese as Vicar of Cadoxton-juxta-Neath end of August. Since and Tonna where she served for four years his ordination in 2002, A new officerRob before moving to Brecon. Mr Lewis has served Webb has joined as curate (NSM) in the Llandaff Diocese The Revd Benjamin Laleston. to support parishes Rabjohns, formerly resource their local Team Vicar in the mission priorities. Rectorial Benefice of Aberavon has Rob, the new Parish Resources Advisor, is Caption Competition become priest- Thank you for all your entries to the based at the diocesan office in Coychurch. in-charge in the Caption competition. Remember the He can be reached on 01656 868860 or parish of Penrhiwceiber, Matthewstown picture from the last edition? [email protected] and Ynysboeth. He was licensed at St Continued on opposite page... Winifred’s, Penrhiwceiber on September 12.

14 | CROESO Autumn 2016 NEWS Already the Transformation Fund is transforming The Transformation Fund has allocated its first round of grants. What exactly is the fund and how is it accessed? Croeso explains.

What is the Transformation Here are some examples of what has been access both the Ministry Area Development Fund? happening in our diocese with support from Fund and the Mission fund. The same the fund. Appointment of; application dates used by the Mission Fund • Ministry Area Development officer – The Transformation Fund is a pot of money will apply for the Development Fund. Mark Brampton that has been allocated to build the future • Two Pioneer Ministers – Capt Andy of the Church in Wales in accordance with You are likely to already be in discussion Settle and Hannah Seal in the Neath the aims and principles of 2020 Vision. The with Ministry Area Development Officer Centre of Mission Diocese of Llandaff Transformation Fund Mark Brampton about the needs of your • Director of Ministry and Discipleship – was established as a partnership between area team. However, the application forms Canon Richard Lowndes the Representative Body of the Church can be downloaded from the website http:// • An administrator for the Pontypridd in Wales (RB) and the Llandaff Diocesan llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/mission/ Ministry Area Board of Finance (DBF). • And a youth and families worker is to What is the value of the fund be appointed at St Teilo’s High School and where has the money come How is the money distributed? from? The bulk of the money is administered by The RB has allocated £3.5 million to the Diocesan Board of Finance. The Ministry create a Transformation Fund to assist Area Development portion is administered with meeting new costs arising as part of by the Diocesan Mission Fund committee 2020 Vision. Some £3million of this money supported by diocesan stewardship officer is being shared equally between the six Rob Webb and diocesan Ministry Area dioceses in Wales - £1million in each Development officer Mark Brampton. of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. The remaining £500,000 will be used to meet Who can apply for a grant from Mum-of-seven Mandy Hall says her job as administrator to the ministry area of provincial costs relating to 2020 Vision. In the Ministry Area Development addition to the RB contribution, Llandaff Pontypridd is a doddle as ‘there’s no DBF is ‘match-funding’ this initiative from Fund? way that seven churches can have as diocesan reserves. This means that a total many tantrums as seven children!’ The fund is limited but available to all of £333,333 has been and is available in the Mandy, whose children include five- Retiring Ministry Areas. The first parishes to form years 2015, 2016 and 2017. year-old twins, took up her the post in Ministry Areas are the most likely to benefit May this year – around six months after For what purpose can the fund from the limited funds. New Ministry Areas the new parish and ministry area of will in many ways act as pilots and may Pontypridd was created from the four be used? need more support to develop new models previous parishes and seven churches of ministry. in the Pontypridd town area. The fund is to initiate substantial change “I love my job – it’s not just in the life of the diocese. The essential paperwork, it’s also about talking and spirit of the fund is that it must be used for How can we get financial help to listening to people and working out new initiatives that will allow 2020 Vision form a Ministry Area ? what they want. It’s very satisfying to flourish. This includes a dedicated to support the clergy in this parish – Ministry Area Development Fund to which The Ministry Area Development Officer they are all so busy and by relieving Ministry Areas can apply for specific Mark Brampton may be able to help with them of as much of the admin as projects, including up to three years ‘pump costs such as away days, study visits and possible – it leaves them more time for priming’ funding for new posts such as training for PCC teams. the important work of ministry,” said administrators, treasurers or schools Mandy, who previous worked as an workers. How can we apply? early years teacher. Although the Transformation Fund is new, it has already begun to make an impact. A joint application form can be used to

First place went to Liz Richfield of St Please send in your captions for Athan. this photograph to Alison Young, “The Archbishop was beginning to Croeso, Llandaff Diocese, The Court, regret volunteering to wash up after Coychurch, Bridgend, CF35 5HF or by the Parish Tea Party” email to alisonyoung@churchinwales. org.uk

CROESO Autumn 2016 | 15 Media Wales Ltd ©

Shockwaves from the Aberfan disaster rippled across the world. A young schoolboy at the time Bishop David reflects on feelings shared by people 50 years ago.

I was only a boy, just 11 on the day of the too have put these feelings into words: disaster - October 21st 1966 - far away in R S Thomas ‘This Christmas before an the Vale of York, hardly a mole hill to be altar of gold the Holly will remind us how seen, let alone a slag heap. Yet I imagined love bleeds’ and David Gwenallt Jones my school being buried by slurry, 116 ‘Calvary is as close as Cardiff.’ children smothered, 20 more than our In the weeks following the disaster entire school roll. , the Archbishop of Wales Only minutes before the disaster the thought ‘blow disestablishment’ and children had been in the school hall, their visited every single bereaved home and assembly ending with All things bright and had a cuppa around the hearth with every beautiful. Unlike the rest of the school, grieving parent. A homely episcopacy in the hall was unscathed by the landslide. the spirit of St David who attended to the Springing history’s ultimate ‘if only’ little things, the little ones. moments. If only Mrs C F Alexander had Fifty years on our memories are jogged penned an extra couple of verses to her so loved the world that he impaled himself by ‘iconic’ images of that dreadful day: hymn. I would gladly have sung ten extra on it. It took me 25 years to come up with A Welsh policeman, a rugby-lock in full verses to Mrs Alexander’s hymn for the those words. At 11, I did not know how uniform walking through the rubble at rest of my life to have spared Aberfan. to speak, but somehow, inchoate old Aberfan carrying the crumpled body of a I watched the children’s mass funeral me, knew. There is always one moment little girl, his face contorted, barely able to on our grainy black and white TV. Eleven- in childhood when a door opens and lets control his emotions. year-old boys don’t cry: I did that day. The vocation in. There’s always one moment But that picture was no deadly Pietà, rain was still pouring, the parents’ heads in earthhood when a cross opens and lets instead an icon of resurrection because were bare, over a hundred little white Christ crucified in. marvellously, miraculously, the little girl coffins lined up for burial. Amazingly they Both Judaism and Christianity have was alive. sang in Welsh Jesu lover of my soul to tunes at their heart laments and songs God may be impaled on the world’s the tune Aberystwyth, the same hymn the of glory: the Song of Deborah; the Song sorrows, but he’s there aching for Easter’s Welsh infantry had sung as they marched of Hannah; the Song of Songs, cheering dawn. The Last Supper of the Upper into Marmetz Wood on the Somme before the OT with Je T’aime; the Psalms; Room, marking Christ in every broken being cut to ribbons by machine gun fire. the Benedicite; the Benedictus; the body, every drop of spilled blood, gives I had never heard the hymn before, Magnificat; the Nunc Dimittis. Tunes way to the First Supper of Emmaus, wouldn’t have understood the words in help you believe more easily, to coin an marking the promise of resurrection. To English, let alone Welsh. But I understood advertising slogan. The music of the turn Chrysostom on his head, ‘No use the tune, which haunted me. My dad, Gospel leads us home. ‘You are the music pitying Christ in the slum unless you the priest, found it for me in his English while the music lasts,’ wrote T S Elliot. worship him risen in the sanctuary.’ Hymnal and I played it and played it on my They get that in Wales, all that God- Bishop David will be preaching at a recorder. The tune strangely spoke to me impaled stuff, as St John Chrysostom said special anniversary service on the eve of our Lord weeping on that South Wales ‘No use worshipping God in the sanctuary of the disaster at St David’s Church, hillside with those sorrowing parents. God unless you pity him in the slum.’ Others Merthyr Tydfil.

Croeso is edited by Alison Young and designed by Jeff Lewis (Space on White). The deadline for the next edition is November 17. Please send all copy and images to [email protected]