www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi Mehefin/June 2014 Restorative justice: “We must do more” . . . and the churches can help, says Police & Crime Commissioner PEAKING on a visit to St The Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys Davids, Christopher Salmon has pledged to do more to introduce restorative justice told Pobl Dewi he believed S programmes into local communities to tackle youth restorative practices were an effec- tive way of uniting communities offending in the fight against crime. “But we nicate and agree how to deal with in the process, and that their are not yet doing as much as we the offence and its consequences. wishes are considered; should.” The basic principles include: • setting realistic, achievable And church communities have • putting things right and healing objectives that benefit the an important part to play. relationships – giving satisfac- victim, community and the Restorative justice brings those tion to victims and reducing young person. directly affected by crime – victim, reoffending; Mr Salmon said that, while offender and members of the • ensuring that those directly West Wales has the lowest crime community – together to commu- affected by crime are involved rates in Britain, for those that do fall victim the rate is 100%. “This is a big area,” he said. “We cannot have a police presence in every village so we have to get communities involved – anything that helps to prevent crime, whether it’s youth crime, anti-social behav- iour, road safety or drugs.” And he was quick to empha- sise the part the church community, can, and does, play with its empha- sis on care, healing and pastoral support, like the established Street Pastor schemes in Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest. Funding Church groups can apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Commissioner’s Fund, which ring- 28th May: A large crowd braved the early morning mist to fences money recovered from the welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay team to the diocese on the proceeds of crime for projects that fifth leg of its journey round Wales en route to Glasgow and the support the Police & Crime Plan Commonwealth Games. The day started at the cathedral with and which have the support of the local Bobby. a blessing from Bishop Wyn and a visit to the Shrine before touring St Davids and moving on to Cardigan, Aberaeron and Responsibilities Aberystwyth. As Commissioner, Mr Salmon is “The fact that the Commonwealth has survived so long in responsible for the Dyfed Powys a fractured world is absolutely remarkable,” Bishop Wyn said. police budget and its priorities. “And to be associated with something that weaves together He also appoints (or removes) the Around 350 children from Pembrokeshire took part in the annual the nations of this island and also across the world is greatly to Chief Constable. But he is a politi- children’s festival in the cathedral in May. The theme of the day be desired.” Mae Glasgow yn ferw o brysurdeb wrth i’r ddinas cian, not a policeman. was parables, and they explored them through music, drama, baratoi ar gyfer ymwelwyr â Gemau’r Gymanwlad. Ceir erthygl art, story, prayer and craft. The festival is a collaborative effort by lawn Mary Sinclair ar dudalen 16 continued page 18 the clergy of the Rhoose, Dewisland and Daugleddau deaneries FOCUS ON OUR HIDDEN TREASURES – Pages 10, 11, 12, 13 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, June 2014 Strategy update A tale of two villages Following St David’s footsteps As the Diocese moves towards Local Ministry Areas and the instigation of Focal Ministry, Dennis Wight shares a true story about a Focal Minister helping to change the mood of two small villages

ince 2010 nine parishes of a within the ten months and the Srural Local Ministry Area have works completed. Discussions are operated their ministry on a ‘Focal ongoing around possible commu- Minister’ basis, though it was nity uses of the building to ensure not recognised as such as it was that it remains supported, and that progressively set up. the church is central to the life of Here’s one example of how this small rural community. things are going, (place details At the same time the village of have been changed): Tone has seen a growth in the regu- In 2010 Permission to Offici- lar twice monthly congregation ate retired cleric John was invited from five to ten. to take charge of two small village The aims for the Strategy for parishes of Tone and Monk. The Growth, which we have agreed parish of Tone had a twice monthly fabric repairs was £127,000 which, together, are to find out what congregation of approximately five even with a Heritage grant of God is doing in our communi- people, and the parish of Monk a £80,000, represented a major task ties and to join him. We believe monthly congregation of two plus for a community of sixty people, that when lay and ordained help a serious problem with the fabric. who were faced with a ten month each other and share the task of John insisted he would only take deadline for raising the balance. Growing Hope, spiritually and on Monk if regular Sunday services In conjunction with the Local numerically, God will bless these ceased in their present format, and Ministry Team Leader a series of endeavours. We give thanks for the if a new ministry, based around meetings was arranged, and village sterling work of our Retired Cler- festivals and appropriate village events staged to draw the commu- ics, Readers, Pastoral Assistants events, was set up. nity together and inspire them with and Worship Leaders who do not Initially in Monk there was hope in what they could achieve fill in the “gaps” but, rather, make significant concern as to whether it together. Services often attracted up the core of the whole people of was worthwhile keeping the church between 35 and 60 people. The God who are called to be disciples open. The estimated amount for the required £47,000 was raised well together.

reach out to those in need and how the churches try to come together. Learning together We have 33 people in training as readers and priests through the Rhiannon Johnson encourages those interested in learning more course, as well as others explor- about the Christian faith to join one of the courses on offer across ing becoming worship leaders, the diocese and some who are just doing this ID you know that a new set called ‘A Church for the Future’ because they want to know more. Dof courses is available for use and ‘Living Scripture’ are available If you would like there to be an in the diocese, called ‘Living and now; one on worship, which can be Exploring faith group in your area, Learning’? This is being used in used to train worship leaders, will or if you are curious, please get in the Bangor diocese to encourage be ready in the next month. More touch. mission areas to form well and can are planned. If you are looking for In the autumn, students will be also be used as a foundation stage a way of exploring issues of faith going on to look at what theology before starting Exploring Faith. and life together, these could be for is and the Epistle to the Romans. The course booklets are completely you. New groups are being formed for bilingual. Courses are for small Meanwhile the Exploring Faith September, so it is never too late to groups and last around six weeks. course goes on. This term students start. Participants will receive a Bishop’s are looking at how we do what is However, at a Wales-wide Certificate on completion. Modules right in today’s world, how we level, there is a lot of uncertainty at present. The Bench of Bish- ops commissioned a report about training for the ordained and reader ministries in the province. It recommends closing St Michael’s College in Llandaff and many other changes. Many are disappointed with the report and the bishops will decide in June whether they act on it or not. During his visit to Llandovery, Bishop Wyn meets hymn For more information about all writer William Williams, Pantycelyn of this, please e-mail [email protected]. Bishop Wyn’s mission to visit every parish in the diocese is now well under way. His latest stops on the journey have included Brechfa, where he received sunflowers from the community garden in honour of his visit, and Neyland, Plant Dewi Sunday where he spent the morning in the new Community School. will, this year, He has also visited Llandovery and Newport (Pembs). take place on Forthcoming dates include Cenarth (21st June), Carmarthen (3rd July), Tregaron (24th July) and Borth (31st July). 13th July, Follow the Bishop’s footsteps through his blog: Revd Dr Rhiannon Johnson and Revd Canon Mike West at at the cathedral followingstdavidsfootsteps.com Exploring Faith Saturday School on 3rd May Pobl Dewi, June 2014 3 Pam Pasg?/Why Easter? The cross is empty. The tomb is empty. Christ has died in our place for our sins and He is risen. Hallelujah! This is the message that the Pam Pasg?/Why Easter? mission team shared during the Llanbadarn Fawr Deanery Holy Week Mission. Emma Whittick is elated after a week of events E had a visiting team of 25 list in Llanbadarn Fawr: one is to to be not just for large churches Wpeople from Trinity College see people come to know the risen that are used to doing outreach but Bristol, St Michael’s College, Christ; the other is to see Christians also for smaller churches in rural Llandaff, and Through Faith grow in discipleship. The mission settings that may never have even Missions (TFM) working with the week was an amazing opportu- thought about this before. I was not churches in the deanery throughout nity for both. It was encouraging disappointed. It was a real encour- the week, under the leadership of to see a number of people turn to agement to see churches step out Revd John Hibberd, TFM’s Senior Christ and I was incredibly blessed in faith and try new things. One Evangelist. They helped us to share as I worked alongside different church that inspired me especially the message of Easter at over a churches who wouldn’t normally was St Michael’s, Eglwysfach. hundred different events. be involved with mission. At the They held a Donkey Procession on There are two things that I outset of planning Pam Pasg? I Palm Sunday, a full Passover Meal am deeply passionate about and wanted every church to feel that on Maundy Thursday and a brunch are at the heart of what I’ve been they could be part of the mission for families on Easter Eve. These trying to do as Deanery Evange- week. I wanted the mission week three events attracted people who don’t normally come to church. Stainer’s Crucifixion at Holy Trinity Church, Aberystwyth, launched the mission, followed by other events such as the Taize Service at Ysbyty Ystwyth, the Mature Munch run by St Michael’s, Aberystwyth, The Narnia Expe- rience at St Anne’s, Penparcau, the Welsh Cultural Evening at St Mair’s, Aberystwyth and the tour of the new Heritage Trail. Events like these, replicated by different congregations across the deanery, mean that many people outside the church were able to hear the message of the gospel both spoken in words and demonstrated in love. The Easter Workshop organised by the Sunday School for the children of Penrhyncoch village has become a regular event in recent years. Held on Easter Saturday morning it offers many to many members’ hearts. different types of craft activities, all centred on the Easter theme. The debate on what should This year, members of the Pam Pasg? Mission Team joined the be in a code of conduct for those group, who, as well as giving a short talk and offering valuable Governing Body who cannot accept the ministry of advice, seemed to enjoy the experience a woman bishop highlighted the The April meeting of the Governing Body was held at Venue very real tensions between the for Cymru, Llandudno. Assisted Dying, Same Sex Relationships and against lobbies. Those opposed and Marriage, the Code of Practice for those opposed to Women highlighted the need in their opin- Bishops, the Gathering, Foodbanks, and 2020 Vision made for a ion for a new Provincial Assistant very weighty agenda. Paul Mackness reports Bishop, those for were against this, and felt that there was no need for HE Archbishop’s presidential a two-tier episcopate and that the Taddress highlighted the seri- code should apply to both male ousness and potential controversy and female bishops with a colle- of the matters that were before this giality in the episcopacy allowing session of the Governing Body. He them provide sacramental care also noted that there were bound to to those opposed across diocesan be tensions and disagreements due borders if necessary or appropriate. to the topics being considered. The Bench will produce a code of There were two sets of group conduct later in the year. discussions during the course of Bishop Wyn put forward the April meeting, one on assisted a motion supporting the work dying and another on Same Sex of the ecumenical Gathering, Marriage. which aspires to creating a Unit- In the group I attended it was ing Church in Wales, bringing very clear that there was no will together the Church in Wales, the for the Church to support Lord the question what does the Church Methodists, Presbyterians, URC Falconer’s Bill to legalise assisted in Wales understand by Marriage? and covenanting Baptists. There dying that is about to go through The notes from the second discus- was a healthy debate around the the Lords, and many felt that it sions groups will go to the Bench of documents produced so far and it was the beginning of a very slip- Bishops for further consideration. was passed by a large majority to pery slope to something that raised A private member’s bill was continue the discussions and the huge moral and ethical dilemmas brought by the Archdeacon of vision of “being one” church as for Christians. Llandaff, Ven Peggy Jackson high- Christ himself prayed. Aberystwyth University Elizabethan Madrigal Singers, Holy On the matter of Same Sex lighting and commending the work Further details of Governing Trinity Church Choir and friends teamed up, under the baton of Marriage it was less clear cut, but of food banks whilst also urging Body business and news are in Andrew Cusworth, to present Stainer’s Crucifixion on Thursday, there seemed to be a majority in government to tackle the causes Highlights available in churches or favour of blessing loving, commit- of poverty and the need for food online at 10th April, at Holy Trinity Church, Aberystwyth. Pictured, left to ted same sex relationships but that banks. It was clear through the www.churchinwales.org.uk right: Bob Azrin Yakip (tenor), Andrew Cusworth (conductor), marriage was a step too far, raising debate that this was an issue close Alex Daniels (organist), Peter Leggett (bass) 4 Pobl Dewi, June 2014 Appointments

Revd Paul Mackness, appointed Chaplain to the Revd Dr David Ceri Jones, Bishop and Honorary Canon, Revd Canon Eileen Davies, to serve as Curate, 13 April 2014 Revd Christine Browne Priest in Charge of Llanerch the Rectorial Benefi ce appointed Priest-in-Charge of Aeron w Ciliau Aeron & of Aberystwyth with Revd Huw Mosford, Laugharne, Llansa dwrnen & Dihewyd & Mydroilyn & special responsibility for appointed Priest in Charge Pendine, 22 April 2014 Honorary Canon, to serve as Llanychaearn, 27 April 2014 of the Grouped Benefi ce of Dafen & Felinfoel, Priest in Charge of Llanerch 10 April 2014 Aeron w Ciliau Aeron & Dihewyd & Mydroilyn & Canon, occupying the Stall of Llanfaes, 1 May 2014

Revd John Lewis, Vicar, Henfynyw w Aberaeron & Llanddewi Aberarth w Llanbadarn Trefeglwys, Revd Andrew Loat to serve also as Canon, Revd Andy Herrick, appointed Priest in Charge occupying the Stall of St Vicar, Rectorial Benefi ce of of Llanbadarn Fawr & Elerch Nicholas, Penyffos, Aberystwyth, to serve also as & Penrhyncoch & Capel Ven Roger Hughes, 1 May 2014 Honorary Canon, 1 May 2014 Bangor, 8 May 2014 to remain as Archdeacon of Carmarthen & to serve as Revd Mones Farah Priest in Charge/Transitional appointed Priest in Charge Minister in the parish of (Rector designate) Rectorial Llangunnor & Cwmffrwd, Benefi ce of Aberystwyth, Growing into growth 22 July 2014 24 May 2014 David Hammond-Williams talks to a clergy couple on the move

T promises to be a busy year tasking will surely be tested anew. always worked as a partnership evolve. We are waiting to see what “I see my school career very Ifor Revd Nick Cale and his And now, of course, there will but until now Heather’s ministry God has in mind.” much as part of my ministry,” wife Heather. Busy even by their be two sets of clerical collars in the has been largely supportive. Once For Fr Nick, one big difference Heather says. “And it always will standards. wardrobe. What difference is that she’s ordained she will have a will be that he won’t actually know be. Ordination will bring other – Fr Nick, the parish priest in going to make? ministry of her own, albeit in the everyone the way he did in Wiston, different – challenges.” Wiston for the past 12 years, has “We don’t really know,” they same parish. whether they attended church or A big moment, then, for both of just moved from one of Pembroke- told me, almost in unison. “We’ve “Let’s just say that it will not. But at least the connection them. And especially for Heather, shire’s prettiest places to one of its between church and school – a for whom ordination is the realisa- busiest – a few miles down the road strong bond in the village – won’t tion of a vocation she has felt for – to become vicar of the United change in town, not least because, many years. Parish of Haverfordwest. in September, Heather will move “There were times,” she admits, And, almost simultaneously, to the headship of the school in “when I thought it may never Heather will be taking her ordi- Merlin’s Bridge in the Haverford- happen. But the time has fi nally nation vows as she becomes a west parish where they’ll both come and it feels very right.” non-stipendiary deacon, then serve. Nick, as vicar, will also be a A change, as they also say, will priest. And that’s on top of her Governor. do you good. Whatever it brings. already demanding role as acting head of the Hubberston church primary school. It’s the latest turn in a road that Undeb y Mamau Archddiaconiaeth Ceredigion has taken them far since they met as students nearly 25 years ago. Cardigan Archdeaconry Mothers’ Union And it’s one they relish. Change, Diwrnod hwyl i’r teulu cyfan ddydd Sadwrn, Hydref they say, is as good as a rest. 11eg, 11 o’r gloch, ym Mhenparcau, Aberystwyth. Not that things look likely to Gweithgareddau amrywiol, cŵn poeth a gwasaanaeth become more restful. Just different. arbennig i gloi’r dydd. Moving from a quiet rural parish to a bustling urban one is sure to offer A family fun day for the whole family on Saturday, 11th challenges of its own. And, with October, 11am, at Penparcau, Aberystwyth. A variety of two jobs rather than one, Heather’s activities, hot dogs and a special service to end the afternoon. already legendary skills in multi- Pobl Dewi, June 2014 5 To be ordained Priest on 28th June in St Davids Cathedral

Revd Jim Rollinson to continue serving as Curate Revd Pat Rogers Revd Sulin Milne Revd Marcus Zipperlen in the Parish of Carmarthen to continue serving as Curate to continue serving as Curate St Peter in the Parish of Llanrhian to continue serving as Curate Revd Delyth Richards in the United Parish of & Mathry w St Edren’s & in the United Parish of to continue serving as Curate Catheiniog Haverfordwest Granston w St Nicholas & Jordanston in the Parish of Carmarthen St David Revd Mair Owen Revd John Cecil to continue serving as Curate in the Parish of Carmarthen St Peter to continue serving as Curate in the Parish of Hubberston

To be ordained Deacon on 28th June in St Davids Cathedral

Mr Mark Ansell Mrs Glenys Payne to serve as Curate in the to serve as Curate Parish of Henfynyw with Mrs Heather Cale Mr Josh Maynard Mrs Caroline Mansell in the Parish Aberaeron & Llanddewi to serve as Curate in to serve as Curate in the to serve as Curate in the of Dafen Aberarth with Llanbadarn the United Parish of Parish of Hubberston Parish of Pembroke Dock & Felinfoel Haverfordwest Trefeglwys

We keep all those to be ordained in our prayers Hundreds attend licensing Revd Christopher Brown licensed as priest in charge of Fishguard, Llanychaer and Pontfaen

EARLY 200 people attended Christopher was welcomed Nthe licensing and installation by representatives of many local of Revd Christopher Brown as the organisations, including chapels new Priest-in-charge of Fishguard, and other churches, Army Cadets, Llanychaer and Pontfaen, at St schools, Sea Cadets, Chamber of Mary’s Church, Fishguard, on Trade, Town and County Council. Friday 25th April. Christopher Local congregation members will lead the already established presented symbolic gifts, focusing ministry team in sharing the on the ministry of sacraments and Christian faith with the people of scripture. these parishes. The town hall was fi lled with The Archdeacon of St Davids, happy people after the service of Ven Dennis Wight, standing in for installation, enjoying food and the Bishop to install the new priest, fellowship. Friends of the new spoke about the need to restore the Priest-in-charge had come from Bible as the foundation document far and wide to show support and of our Christian society as well as solidarity and remarked on the of our personal faith. friendliness of Fishguard people. 6 Pobl Dewi, June 2014 God’s Hi-Five means the church is alive!

Within 6 months of a new youth church bursting onto the scene in the rural benefice of Catheiniog, near Llandeilo, the initiative has borne fruit with one baptism and five confirmations

ITH no young adults and worship opportunity for 11-16 Christian journey. Wvery few children attending year olds but it soon became Sulin Milne, curate in Cathein- the churches in the benefice, there apparent there were many Year 6 iog, said, “It has been amazing was a great desire amongst the children (aged 10-11) who wanted watching these young people membership to reach out to young to be involved. It was decided that engage with God, the Bible and people in the area. welcoming the 10-11 year-olds prayer so wholeheartedly. I was The youth church began with to the youth church would help so excited when one of our group a taster session in November last ease their transition to secondary asked to be baptised on Easter year when just five young people school. Day – and when five of them came turned up. Since the first official The group meets for worship forward for confirmation I was Beibl i bawb meeting in January, attendance once a month which includes thrilled.” has increased to fourteen. The fellowship, food, Bible teaching, Alicia Marquis (aged 13) said, young people named the group contemporary music and prayer. “I enjoyed the science experiments o bobl y byd ‘God’s Hi-Five Youth Church’ and Alternate meetings comprise we did to help us learn about faith monthly meetings soon became sessions on mission, charities and because they were fun. When we The charity ‘Bibles for Children’ aims to present every child in fortnightly by popular demand. activities which encourage young used the Bible to point towards primary school in the UK with their own copy of the Bible. In April, The vision was to provide a people in practical ways on their clues in the Easter Treasure Hunt it pupils in Years 5 and 6 in three junior schools in Ammanford helped me make sense of it in my received their copies, writes Michael Rees head.” So, even in a deeply rural area YNA weledigaeth Gyfunol yn cael y cyfle o fod such as this, the church has plenty DCymdeithas y Beibl ers dros yn berchen ei Feibl personol ei of life in it, and nurturing these dau gan mlynedd, ac yn ddiweddar hun. Wedi cael y Beiblau, sy’n young people now will ensure it yn Rhydaman rydym wedi ceisio eiddo i’r plant, mae modd eu will have life for a long time to bod yn driw i’r weledigaeth honno defnyddio yn yr ysgol mewn come. trwy rannu Beibl y Plant i blant gwersi addysg grefyddol, ac i God’s Hi-Five meets alter- ysgolion cynradd Rhydaman helpu gyda sgiliau darllen ac nate Fridays from 7-8.30pm in the ym mlynyddoedd 5 a 6. Clwb ysgrifennu a darllen hamdden. church hall at Golden Grove. For J.A.M. (Joio a Moli) Rhydaman Dosbarthwyd y Beiblau sef more information contact Sulin fu’n gyfrifol am y dosbarthu, Beibl y Plant yn Gymraeg a The Milne – 01558 668268; Facebook: dan arweiniad Mr Nigel Davies, Children’s Bible yn Saesneg trwy God’s Hi-Five Youth Church. Swyddog Plant ac Ieuenctid ganiatâd a chydweithrediad yr M.I.C. (Mudiad Ieuenctid ysgolion cynradd. Talwyd am Cristnogol yn Sir Gaerfyrddin), a ddosbarthu’r Beiblau gan Glwb RSCM is launching a new chafodd dau o weinidogion y dref, J.A.M. Rhydaman sy’n cael ei course for clergy and lay y Parchedig Emyr Gwyn Evans a’r noddi gan eglwysi Cymraeg tref worship leaders to give them Parchedig Ganon Michael Rees Rhydaman. Mae’r Clwb J.A.M. more confidence in managing y pleser o ymweld â’r ysgolion a yn cyfarfod ar Nos Iau am 5.30 music in their parish churches. chyflwyno Beibl personol i bob un o’r gloch yn ystod tymor ysgol Strengthen for service, 16-18 o’r plant yn y blynyddoedd hyn. yn Neuadd Gellimanwydd, ac September at Sarum College, Fis Ebrill dosbarthwyd mae croeso i blant sy’n awyddus Salisbury; 123 o gopïau i blant Ysgol Bro i ddod i’r clwb i ymuno gyda ni www.rscm.com/courses; Banw, 62 o gopïau i blant Ysgol yn ein hwyl a’n gweithgareddau telephone 01722 424843 Gymraeg Rhydaman a 40 o wythnosol. Lisa Jones yw or email [email protected] gopïau i blant Ysgol Parcyrhun. Arweinydd y Clwb J.A.M. a Please book by 25th June. Cafodd yr ysgolion hefyd gopïau chaiff ei chynorthwyo gan dîm ychwanegol ar gyfer defnydd o wirfoddolwyr o’r gwahanol yr ysgol. Gwnaed hyn yn bosibl eglwysi sy’n ei helpu yn eu tro. trwy gymwynasgarwch yr Os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn elusen ‘Bibles for Children.’ gweld plentyn yn ymuno gyda’r Gweledigaeth yr elusen Brydeinig clwb gellir cysylltu gyda Lisa dros hon yw bod pob plentyn ym mhob y ffôn ar 01269 820730 neu trwy ysgol gynradd trwy’r Deyrnas e-bost ar [email protected]. Pobl Dewi, June 2014 7 From Brazil to Borth

Luana, who came to Borth in 2008, is originally from Brazil but had briefly lived in Portugal where she had met her husband. It was to prove quite a challenge coping not only with the Welsh climate but also the cultural and culinary differences between hot, vibrant Brazil and a Welsh seaside village. Sue Fletcher, from Plant Dewi, explains how Borth Family Centre helped this young mother settle in rural Wales UANA had not learnt any LEnglish in school and, to begin with, she found it hard to meet people, not helped by the language barrier. She had her first child in 2010 and began attending the Plant Dewi Family Centre in Borth, which she found a lifeline, when the baby was 4 months old. ‘It was a chance to meet other mums and to start practising my English, which gave me more confidence. I just hadn’t had the opportunity to speak English to so many different people.’ Luana also started Welsh lessons in the Family Centre and slowly began to feel part of the community. ‘At The Family Centre I have met several other parents who ‘My life growing up in Brazil ence to our family life as I did not have come to Britain and it’s been was very different, where people want to repeat the sort of upbring- a great help to see how they have did not play with children and ing I had.’ raised their children bilingually, play groups or family centres were The Family Centre introduced which has given me the confi- non-existent. We lived in quite a Luana to other aspects of the local dence to do the same. I have never dangerous environment and had community, including events with felt self-conscious speaking Portu- to grow up very quickly. I have the Borth Senior Citizens Group, guese in the Family Centre as it’s learned so much from the Incred- and feelings of loneliness and such a welcoming environment. I ible Years Course about positive of being an outsider have disap- now attends the Sunday School and huge difference to my life. I feel have also learnt about Welsh and parenting and have used many of peared. She also took part in the Luana and her little boy are regular completely at home here and part British culture and to share some the ideas to help me raise my two local church celebrations for saints’ members of the congregation. of the Borth community.’ of my culture. children. It has made a huge differ- days and festivals. Her daughter ‘The Family Centre has made a

of excellent quality, and in vary- ing sizes, were displayed. One was Wheels Appeal even made from glazed clay. Some More than 300 Mothers’ Union Community Development were entered into a competition Plant Dewi Fun Day and the winner was Grace Abison Coordinators work in over 30 countries to provide Christian care (Cardigan Branch). The cosies for families. Mari Thomas highlights the Wheels Appeal which were then auctioned and £670 was funds this venture raised for the National Wheels OTHERS’ UNION Commu- By organising a Wheels Appeal Appeal. Mnity Development Coordina- Cake Bake you can help the MU Our MU branches are doing tors (CDCs) work within their own provide assistance to our CDCs by various things but if your church and neighbouring communities, contributing towards their costs, would like to take part in this some of which are very isolated, and in turn help them support as appeal please contact to organise training and help start many families in their areas as Brenda Evans projects that provide relevant solu- possible. The campaign is running [email protected] tions to needs. CDCs work within throughout the summer. Mari Thomas the communities to help them iden- St Davids MU contribution to [email protected] tify and use the resources they the fundraising was a Welsh After- already have, rather than relying on noon Tea was held at the Village or look on the MU website handouts. This means that changes Hall, Bancyfelyn, on 10th May www.mothersunion.org/wheelsappeal are much more sustainable and when 133 hand-made tea cosies for details and resources. families can take control of their own futures. To carry out this vital work the CDCs often have to travel long On 16th April at Carmarthenshire County Museum in distances over difficult, danger- Abergwili, Plant Dewi, along with Carmarthenshire Family ous terrain and spend long periods Centre Network, organised a big fun day for the families of time away from their families. of Carmarthenshire. The event was funded by a grant of Each CDC is a committed Chris- £5,000 from Awards for All. tian with skills in development Over 1,400 people attended and a visit from Nia Griffith which enable them to train, equip, MP made the day extra special. enthuse and guide our members. There was a variety of entertainers throughout the day The money raised for the as well as craft stalls and fun activities provided by local Wheels Appeal will help fund CDCs’ salaries and travel costs, agencies and organisations (all free of charge). The Fire which are worked out in conjunc- Service brought along their fire engine. tion with the Provincial MU where Families also enjoyed the BBQ which was provided by possible. Supporting this appeal The Plant Dewi Carmarthen Support Group. ensures they can continue to reach The event was made more special by the appearance isolated communities and bring of the sun throughout the whole day. transformational change. 8 Pobl Dewi, June 2014

WHAT’S ON AT ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL . . .

June 9th – 13th Contemplative Camera retreat at Tŷ’r Pererin, please email [email protected] for more details

16th 1pm Diocesan Schools’ Leavers Service 23rd 10am Journeying through prayer – 2pm Retreat day Based on the theme of pilgrimage, this day offers space for pilgrims and those new to the idea of pilgrimage to explore the concept both academically and in practice (please make your own arrangements Drawing the crowds for lunch) in Tŷ’r Pererin. We invite a contribution of £2 per person to cover the costs of the day These are exciting times at Tŷ’r Pererin, writes Janet Ingram 28th 10.30am Diocesan Ordination Service HE journey from St David’s hung their thoughts and prayers on Day to Easter has been an the outside of the yurt and these T July 1st 4pm Launch of Art on the Faith Trail incredible one at Tŷ’r Pererin, the now travel to Bangor Cathedral, 9th 10am Discipleship Schools Day Cathedral Education and Pilgrim- the yurt’s next stop on the grand – 2pm Summer Celebration at the Cathedral age Centre at St Davids Cathedral. pilgrimage route. We welcomed several thousand Schools and other groups from 7.30pm Summer Concert Series to our programmes and events. across Pembrokeshire and as far This series of evening concerts runs every Wednesday Crowds arrived in the city for the afi eld as London, Wiltshire and from 9th July, up to and including 17th September with St David’s Day celebrations and the Midlands came to hear stories, music from St Davids Cathedral Choir, Leicestershire the new prayer walk installation sing songs, practice mindfulness Chorale and International Concert Organist, Robert Stations of St David was available and meditation, to learn how to Munns. Each concert begins at 7.30pm for pilgrims to use in the cathedral. make felt and design stained-glass, We will be using activities inspired inspired by their experience here. 12th 7.30pm Dyfed Choir Concert by this installation throughout the They left with a memorable expe- A concert of renaissance music year for schools and retreat groups. rience speaking of the peace and 13th 3pm Plant Dewi Service Stained glass calm they received. We hosted many schools and We ushered in Lent with the 20th – 24th Holiday Club in Tŷ’r Pererin visitors to our Experience Easter commissioning of The Glass Quilt Project, a series of interactive 25th 7.30pm John S. Davies Singers Concert (a full sized Mongolian yurt with installations telling the Easter a glass wall) created by Anna August 18th 10am Open day in Tŷ’r Pererin story. It became a wonderful way Bessant, a stained-glass artist. with refreshments provided for all our visitors to engage with – 2pm The installation is making its own the Christian concepts fundamental pilgrimage around the six Welsh 22nd 7.30pm Keith James in Concert ‘Time let me play’ to faith in a visual and kinaesthetic cathedrals offering a sacred space from the poetry of Dylan Thomas way. inside a sacred space, a place for Our schools programme con- September 13th – 14th Festival of the Friends of St Davids Cathedral contemplation and prayer, inspir a- tinues throughout the Summer tion and challenge. For some this For further information about the above services and events please contact the Deanery Term alongside a number of parish was a breath of fresh air, for others Offi ce on 01437 720202 or email [email protected] and interest group retreats. Please an icy blast! It helped us ask the speak to the Education Team to See our website www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter question, how is sacred space used, fi nd out how you can book a retreat particularly by children? Many

Places available for the following: June Forthcoming 16th Diocesan Schools Pilgrimage or schools programme. and Leavers Service Events 1 8 t h A r ti s t i n R e s i d e n c e S c h o o l s D a y 2 3 r d J o u r n e y i n g t h r o u g h P r a y e r R e t r e a t D a y @ 2 5 t h A r ti s t i n R e s i d e n c e S c h o o l s D a y Tŷ’r Pererin 2 9 t h P e m b r o k e s h i r e F i s h W e e k A c ti v i ti es July 9th Diocesan Schools Discipleship Day For more informati on August please contact Janet Ingram or Clare Williams 18th Open Day Email: educati [email protected] (come & fi nd out what’s on off er) Tel: 01437 729151 Regular Events @ Tŷ’r Pererin Website: www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk F r i d a y P i l g r i m a g e 1 0 : 3 0 m e e t a t O r i e l Y P a r c Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitt er Bi-monthly Retreat Days Pobl Dewi, June 2014 9

tions Officer, discussed how the local press can be a great resource Church tourism for your church. Building a rela- tionship, and understanding what kind of information and stories on the up! they prefer, is key. David has a long career in journalism and is happy to help parishes with publicity and Caroline Evans is a member of the Diocesan Tourism Group media. and is passionate that our lovely churches should be available Jenny Kimber’s afternoon to all comers session was entitled “On the wall CHURCH can be a welcom- Geach, the event was attended by – Off the wall”. She showed exam- A ing, peaceful, sacred, life- representatives from the parishes of ples of some church noticeboards giving place that enriches its local Llangwm, Manorbier and Cathein- which conveyed the opposite of community and all who visit. iog along with Revd Jennie Annis “welcome” – one must say that Unfortunately sometimes we are of Saints and Stones and a Tourism they were from churches NOT in not very good at telling the world Group member. our diocese. Important points were about our beautiful or interest- After Bishop Wyn opened the that items on a message board ing church with its own individual day with a blessing, Andrew Lloyd should be up-to-date, readable from and Transport, Edwina Hart AM, Geach, Diocesan Tourism Officer story. The recent Tourism Day held Hughes, of TruTourism, gave a a distance of 2 metres, and provide said that increasing numbers of on 01834 812078 at the Model School in Carmarthen, sparkling illustration of simple information such as contact details visitors are interested in histori- [email protected] focussed on opportunities and on-line tools now available that can and church opening times. cal attractions, in experiencing the or Caroline Evans skills that can help in practical and help promote your church and how The importance of faith tour- heritage and culture of the areas on 01267 202305 cost-effective ways to spread the selecting a few can ensure that the ism has been recognised with they are visiting and she acknowl- [email protected] message and to make the visitor word can spread about why your the launch last year by the Welsh edged the key part played by our Also resources at experience a positive one.. church is well worth a visit. Assembly of the Faith Tourism Places of Worship. http://stdavids.churchinwales.org. Organised by the Diocesan After lunch, David Hammond- Action Plan at St Asaph Cathedral. For more information or uk/tourism/resources/ Tourism Officer, Revd Canon Sarah Williams, Diocesan Communica- The Minister for Economy Science advice, contact Revd Canon Sarah Faith Tourism Seminar A journey he Dean of St Davids and TCanon Sarah Geach took part of discovery in a Faith Tourism Seminar on the Isle of Man in April. The island has Peaceful Places/Llefydd Llonydd, launched this month, is a scenery very similar to West Wales heritage tourism trail, which tells the stories of a collection and a rich and diverse cultural herit- of churches and chapels across North Ceredigion age. The Diocese of Sodor & Man is in the process of developing its T is not a faith trail in the tradi- ministry of welcome to visitors to Itional sense. Its purpose is to share all that its churches can offer. encourage visitors to experience These include a unique collection churches and chapels from new of over 200 standing crosses and perspectives – as places of inspira- the remains of many kells (small tion and meditation; as opportunities single celled chapels) that are to “do something different” and found throughout the island, as enjoy a change of pace; as destina- well as enhancing the cathedral as tions where “quality time” can be a centre of pilgrimage and educa- spent amidst the beauty and tran- tion. The seminar brought together quillity of the landscape. those who were already engaged in The trail spans 14 destinations this work from settings similar to from the coast to the uplands, taking the Manx experience visitors on a journey to discover spectacular wildlife and natural beauty, family history and tales of human events and achievements, embellished with architecture, art and craftsmanship. It provides an ART ON THE FAITH TRAIL 2014 alternative tourism experience to Will be on throughout the month of July at the sea, sand and shopping that the area is perhaps most famous for: a St Davids Cathedral St Aiden’s Church, Solva chance to escape the crowds and St Rhian Church, Llanrhian St Hywel, Llanhywel enjoy a real taste of the Ceredigion St David, Llanychaer St Peter, Little Newcastle landscape and its culture. For more details and the full list St Gwyndaf’s Church, Llanwnda St Mary’s Church, Fishguard of participating churches and chapels Hafod St Nicholas, village of St Nicholas, St Brynach, Pontfaen visit www.peaceful-places.com nr Strumble Head

and will feature the work of local artists including Raul Speek, Nigel Sutton, Heather Nixon, Heather Bennett, Richard Blacklaw-Jones, Deborah Withey, Robert Jakes, Rod Williams, Eliot Baron, Ellie Morgan, David Perkins, Buzz Knapp-Fisher, Miriam Scott (poet) and a number of musicians Art on the Faith Trail The Trail for 2014 will be launched at St Davids Cathedral A concert was given at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, by the Monday Choir in aid of the Art on the Faith Trail. This is by Bishop Wyn at 4pm on Tuesday 1st July a community choir from Hay on Wye, who were on their Come and enjoy a diversity of artistic talent in a variety of sacred places 10th anniversary tour. Under the direction of their musical director Pat Hammond, they sang a varied programme and Further details from Revd Canon Sarah Geach at were joined by Roger Beetham (tenor), Michael Twigge- [email protected] or phone 01834 812078 Molecey (Bass) and John Watkins on guitar 10 Pobl Dewi, June 2014 A wealth of archaeology Focus on our Modern technology is revealing the ancient past at St Sulien’s Church, Silian, near Lampeter, as Nikki Vousden explains HE earliest Christian memorial hidden treasures Tstones in Wales are epitaphs of nobles and ecclesiastics, record- ing name and parentage. Silian 1 is built into the external south end of St Sulien’s Church. Its Latin inscription is thought to date back Symbolism in our to the 5th-6th century. It reads ‘Silbandus iacit’; Silbandus being a personal name and ‘iacit’ abbrevi- sacred places ated from ‘Hic iacit’, a commonly used Christian formula meaning John Winton, from Churches Tourism Network Wales, offers ‘lies here’. The name ‘Silian’ could some hints on what to look out for in our churches to enhance derive from the name on the stone. your visit Overlying this is a deeply incised cross, thought to have been added “. . . every journey to Wales’s ancient places leads to the same at a time when cross-carved burial sense that setting and atmosphere make more impact than monuments were the norm, around Parch-marks of concentric antenna-enclosure (highlighted in architecture . . . . The archetypal church of Wales is not the town the 7th-9th centuries. Silian 2, a red) (with church top-right and earthworks visible in fi eld to left or village church, architecturally enhanced by generations of carved pillar-stone thought to date of church). Crown Copyright: Royal Commission on the Ancient rich and demonstrative local patronage: it is the isolated, simple, from the later 9th-early 10th centu- and Historical Monuments of Wales evocative walls-with-roof, in a landscape spiritually charged” ries, once stood in the churchyard. Wales’s Best One Hundred Churches, T. J. Hughes) Both its faces are carved in relief: Welsh churches are located within ing fi eld and churchyard and one consists of interlace; the other or close to defended enclosures: earthworks are visible here and ISITORS to our sacred their comfort, are a relatively of diagonally-set square frets. parch-marks of an Iron Age enclo- south of the church. Nineteenth- Vplaces in Wales talk about modern invention – previously Silian 3, an unshaped boulder sure were identifi ed by Royal century maps depict buildings in the tranquillity, the peace. I would the congregation stood, but there with an incised pattern on part of Commission aerial reconnaissance both fi elds. encourage all visitors to ask the might have been respite for the one face, was discovered lying in some 200m to the north-east of the It is hoped that techniques questions – why is this church here infi rm or elderly in stone seats set the Nant Tawelan stream in 2013. church during drought conditions such as geophysical survey and – for whom – where did its congre- in the wall (hence ‘the weak shall The National Museum Wales has in 2006. high-resolution Lidar (remote- gation come from? Only when go to the wall’). a cast of the carving, whose prov- St Sulien’s Church has a curvi- sensing technology which this is understood can the stories Many artists have used enance was not known until the linear churchyard boundary which measures distance) mapping will unfolding within (or without!) its animals as symbols. Some exam- discovery of the stone last year. is mirrored to the north by a curvi- also aid the identifi cation and inter- walls make full sense. Other ques- ples include: apes/monkeys, The 2007 Corpus of Early medi- linear fi eld boundary, probably pretation of archaeological features tions could be: what are the stories thought to be like humans without eval Inscribed stones and Stone representing an outer enclosure. relating to St Sulien’s Church. this site tells me? Of which era? restraint, came to represent greed, Sculpture in Wales: South-west There is still a kissing-gate connect- Who were the members of the lust or cunning; frogs to represent Wales features a photograph of local community that are part of demons; ravens, although symbols the cast, referred to as ‘Silian This laser-scan of Silian 3 can be manipulated the building’s evolution? Simon of doom and gloom elsewhere, are 3?’ with its location described as using computer software meaning its Jenkins says “… it is the feeling often used in churches more posi- ‘unknown’. The pattern consists pattern can be viewed in greater detail that for hundreds of years every- tively – one sent out fi rst by Noah of a cross within a lozenge and and from varying angles body in the community had thrown from the ark, and, as Jesus said, adjacent parallel line from which on the walls of the building their ‘consider the ravens – they do not radiate diagonally-set frets. Silian faith, their hope, their love and sow or reap yet God feeds them.’ 3 has recently been laser-scanned, Photo courtesy of Toby Jones their misery.” As a further challenge, look at making it possible to study the (Newport Ship Project) & Nigel Accepting the sacred place the roof, the walls, under the choir pattern in much more detail. Nayling (University of Wales is full of symbolism – the aisle stalls, at the fl oor. What do you fi nd A signifi cant number of early Trinity Saint David Lampeter) draws the individual to the altar, that entertains or educates? like the gangway of a ship carrying Recommended books worshippers to God – what can be Wales’s Best One Hundred gleaned from the not so obvious? Goodwick Churches The porch started life with a secular function – if large enough T. J. Hughes sandstone it could have been used for carry- www.serenbooks.com ing out justice. Pews, often beloved How to read a church monument of congregations for their aesthetic Richard Taylor appeal, though certainly not for www.randomhouse.co.uk Near Harbour Village, Goodwick, is a signifi cant collection of rocks. Raph Colella is seen here with his tame goat beside a column of Pennant Sandstone, erected in memory of his Catholic parents. This site was occupied by Stone Age, then Bronze and Iron Age people whose burial chambers abound in this special place. Visitors are welcome to this important place, to sit and enjoy the views over Fishguard Bay. Marks on some rocks are pointers to other places of signifi cance and match marks at Stonehenge Pobl Dewi, June 2014 11 If there’s one church you should visit this year ...... it is Holy Trinity Church, Pontargothi, says Rhob Pattinson

LTHOUGH known widely regular use in our weekly Sunday The church has been used for Athrough the guide books, services. film and television presentations, many local people still have not The church is quite small, only something which we enjoy! set foot inside this little gem of a seating about 120, but because of the Holy Trinity is open during the church, which has long been the highly decorated interior, it seems to months of May to September on destination for quiet picnics and be much larger. The grounds were Thursday and Saturday afternoons, places to reflect, on the banks of never licensed for graves, and so, but can be accessed by phoning the swiftly flowing Cothi river. in spring, the meadow is colourful 01267 290142. Sometimes you Built originally as an Estate with many different wild flowers might even get a cup of tea or Chapel for the use of the Bath and bordered by mature trees. coffee! family of Alltyferin, the church became the property of the Church in Wales in 1948, and the unique fresco artwork became accessible to the general public. The outside of the church is rather plain, even by Welsh standards, but the interior comes alive resembling a medi- eval Italian picture. Although the artwork is “2D”, painted on a flat surface, the theatrical quality gives it depth to become “3D”! Holy Trinity was designed by Benjamin Bucknall of the Gothic Travelling along the A40 from church is on your right. Post code Revival school, and is not dissimi- Carmarthen, you get to Pontargothi. SA32 7PA. lar to that found in Cardiff Castle There is a small left turn before the So, this year, don’t be one of and Castell Coch. The building road bridge (the turn is opposite those who say, “yes, of course makes use of local and Bath stone, the Show Ground). Continue north we’ve heard of Holy Trinity with some marble inside. We have along this narrow lane for just over Pontargothi, but we’ve never been a small pipe organ which is still in 1 mile (ignore branches), and the inside!” History at its most intriguing St Michael’s Church, Rudbaxton, near Haverfordwest, creates different emotions in all who view it, writes Mark Muller HE church is a treasure chest Hall is just up the road and this is memorial plaque here. There is a Tof history and it has, of course, the church where he was baptised. further treasure trove of memorials the monument to the Howard William Laud, Bishop of St Davids to, amongst many others, William family. But before we get to that and Archbishop of Canterbury, Owen, architect and builder of there is also a bust of General Sir adviser and supporter of Charles much of Haverfordwest, and many Thomas Picton, hero of Waterloo. I, held the living of Rudbaxton of his noted family. His beautiful home of Poyston between 1621 and 1626 and has a In the early part of the 12th century, not long after the Flemings arrived in southern Pembrokesh- ire, the living of the church was granted to the Order of Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusa- lem. But, although this church has skull that the others carry which became Mary Tasker following her Norman origins and is dedicated denotes death. She does carry marriage to a master mariner from to St Michael, an earlier building something in her hand but it is Steynton. Mary was the founder of appears to have been in existence difficult to identify what it might the secondary school of that name. which was dedicated to St Madoc. be. And so we come to Mary. Mary (A longer version of this article can Like many other churches it was Howard. But this isn’t the name by be found at: heavily restored in the 19th century. which she is famous. Mary Howard www.westerntelegraph.co.uk) The Howard family would be famous if only for the monument found here. Of the five almost life size figures in costume of the Resto- ration period, four of them carry a skull. The centre couple are James Howard and his wife Joanna. On the right are their children, Thomas and Mary, and the single figure on the left is George, brother of James. The family did not enjoy longev- ity and despite having survived the plague of 1652, which was particularly rampant in Rudbax- ton, George and James died in their thirties; as did Thomas, although One of the much admired John Petts’ windows in St Mary’s his death was as a result of a duel Fishguard, Peace be Still, was dedicated in 1984. Several – there is a red daub on his breast hundred people contributed to the appeal, occasioned by the signifying violent death. Joanna penetration of rainwater through the west wall; hence it is known seems to have commissioned the as “The people’s window”. memorial and appears without the 12 Pobl Dewi, June 2014

billeted to Highmead during WWI. Colonel Davies-Evans’ daugh- Carved with love ter, Mary, designed the wonderful pew-end carvings that tell the The woodwork at Llanwenog Church, near Lampeter, is not to be history of the parish. The colonel missed, says Suzy Bale and Reubens worked together on HE village of Llanwenog is painting and a beautiful font, but the magnificent screen. The colo- Ttucked away just off the main what really strikes you as you come nel carved the font and Reubens Lampeter-Newcastle Emlyn road through the door is the carving of carved the dragon lectern, being at Drefach. You may catch sight the rood screen, the pulpit and the unwilling to carve an eagle as it of the tower as you drive along the pews. They are only a century old was also one of the symbols of the A475. The church is a gem, and its but look as if they have been there German Reich. history dates back to the age of the for much longer. Whilst the church was largely Welsh saints. The present building With the centenary of WWI transformed by the work of dates from the 12th to 16th century. falling over these next four years, Reubens and Davies-Evans, the The tower was built as a memo- now is a great opportunity to altar was renovated in the 1950’s rial to the Battle of Bosworth (14 explore of the history of one of and recently the side-chapel has February 1485). Henry Tudor, on our churches. Two men are behind been remodelled, so we now have his return from exile in France, the wonderful woodwork; the first Eglwys Fach as a communal space gathered men as he travelled was the Lord of the local manor, and enjoy the benefits of a kitchen the Church has been alive down among us as a refugee at a dark through SW Wales, including Colonel Herbert Davies-Evans, of and toilet. through the years as a living, time. We are fortunate to have locals from the parish. Highmead, and the other was the Our lovely parish church is a breathing thing. We are inheritors these treasures, from the hand The wonderful medieval build- famous Belgian sculpter, Joseph wonderful record of our history, of that, and benefit from the gifts of someone who went on to far ing has some interesting wall Reubens, who, as a refugee, was and shows us how the faith of of a Belgian who found himself greater fame in later life. A thin place in a sacred landscape Bishop Wyn encourages readers to visit St Non’s Well at St Davids

NE of the delights of walk- annual St David’s Day procession in the water today attest to its contin- Oing the coast path near St to the cathedral begins at the well ued power and attraction. Davids Cathedral is discover- before moving through the city and The modern (1934) Retreat ing that unexpected and evocative ending at St David’s Shrine. House, which is owned by the group, made up of St Non’s Retreat, That modern journey echoes Passionist Order, is now admin- the modern Chapel of Our Lady and the journey St David himself made istered by the Sisters of Mercy as St Non, the ruins of the mediaeval in his life. He was born on the so many readers of Pobl Dewi are St Non’s Chapel and the restored St spot on the cliffs where the ruined aware – especially members of the Non’s Well: all of which take us into mediaeval chapel stands sometime Mothers’ Union and successive the story of Christian presence and in the sixth century, before spend- generations of ordinands, both of witness in the area and in the diocese. ing a life of heroic asceticism in whom enjoy the Sisters’ hospitality The well itself, restored by the the valley where the cathedral now during retreats; as indeed does the Roman Catholic church in 1950, stands, and it is here that he was Bench of Bishops during regular is a simple, unassuming square buried in the late sixth century. meetings there. enclosure — one visitor called it a As with so many other wells, the The Sisters also care for the ‘surprise find on the coastal path’ waters of St Non’s are considered to well, and that is reflected the way – into which the water constantly have healing and miraculous powers. it is presented to those who travel is one of those remarkable, but not places which stay with you, and if flows. It is an attractive feature of This reputation survived the Refor- there and pause awhile for reflection wholly unexpected, features of the any Pobl Dewi readers find them- the landscape in its own right and mation; the well was still frequented and refreshment. It is one of those sacred landscape around Bro Dewi, selves in the St Davids peninsula is also a focus for devotion for at certain times of the year in the thin places, where earth and heaven Dewisland, the area around St during the summer, then it is well many people of many faiths. The eighteenth century; and the offerings meet and its continued significance Davids Cathedral. It is one of those worth a visit. Carew and Nevern crossed by patronage We are so fortunate to have, in Pembrokeshire, two of the finest Celtic type crosses in the country, writes Mary Baker XPERTS believe that the two used material was wood. To have Nevern crosses have wheelheads Emonuments are similar in age a skilled stonemason design, shape that are separate from the base. Both and design and may have been and carve such an intricate piece are decorated with plaits, knots and fashioned in the same workshop. would take time and money so both key patterns and have panels of The cross at Carew even inspired crosses would have been paid for swastikas. The latter, although asso- the symbol for our national herit- by people of substance. ciated with horrifying events in the age organisation, CADW, and the The Carew cross may have 20th century, is an ancient symbol, cross at Nevern sits in the glori- stood in a churchyard and subse- dating back to prehistory. The earli- ously spiritual surroundings of St quently been moved to its current est known swastika is a 10,000 year Brynach’s churchyard. position. The cross at Nevern old mammoth ivory figure from The Carew cross is easy to date probably stands on its original Ukraine; it is also a symbol that is as it is inscribed with the names site - some have suggested it was used by ancient Egyptians, Hindus of two royal princes, Maredudd a prehistoric standing stone that and Buddhists and even finds its and Hywel, who ruled from 1033, was transformed into a symbol of way onto the pages of the Lindis- and, with Maredudd dying in 1035, Christianity, perhaps by a religious farne Gospels. we really can date it accurately. group who, several centuries after We do not know if our cross Nevern has two inscriptions but the death of St Brynach, continued manufacturers were influenced by these are quite unclear and do not to practice a simple Christian faith work that they had seen fashioned seem to commemorate any particu- in the Nevern valley. The knotwork by Vikings or Saxons, but we do lar person. and design invoke the title “Celtic” know that their work celebrates Patrons would have to be very as it is a term that covers objects Christian worship in a way that has wealthy to commission a stone found mostly on the western fringes reached down through the centu- sculpture, as the most commonly- of the British Isles. The Carew and ries to inspire us today. Pobl Dewi, June 2014 13

and can even enhance its chances of survival by splitting into several Yews trees. When Alan Mitchell, founder Tim Hills, from the Ancient Yew Group, considers yew tree lore, of the Tree Register of the British symbolism and custodianship Isles, was interviewed for Country- file in 1994, he summed up what our ancestors had learned from 95% of 350 known ancient and veteran yews in Wales thousands of years of observation: are found at Christianised sites. 209 such places ‘there is no theoretical end to this have now been recognised, of which the 29 are in the tree, no need for it to die’. Diocese of St Davids at Abergwili; Cenarth; Cilrhedyn; These old yews remind us of a Cilycwm; Freystrop; Golden Grove; Lampeter; Llandovery time when it is thought that every (Llandingat); Llandre; Llandybie; Llandyfeisant; Llanfair churchyard would have contained Clydogau; Llanfihangel-ar-arth; Llangathen; Llangeitho; at least one yew as a symbol of Llangoedmor; Llansadwrn; Llanwrda; Llanycrwys; Myddfai; immortality. Those that have Nash; Silian; St Dogmaels; Strata Florida; Taliaris; Trefilan; survived will have been looked Upton Castle; Ystrad Aeron; Ystradffin* after by dozens of generations, * Place names spelt per OS 50000 series ensuring their survival through times of social, political, and reli- gious upheaval. Today we need to T is not known when the custom a compelling case has been argued ensure that so many centuries of Iof planting yew trees at burial for the oldest yews in Wales being good custodianship is not wasted, sites began, but a correlation planted at the time of, or even by, and to be aware that the loss of any between the oldest Christian sites some of the early Celtic Saints. of these remaining trees is to lose a and the oldest yews in Wales has In recent years our understand- living link with the distant past. been recognised. Some enclo- ing of this extraordinary tree, both The latest generation of sures containing churches were from a botanical and historical churchyard yews are cuttings in use during the Bronze Age, context, has increased. We know taken from some of Britain’s oldest giving rise to speculation that the that it can withstand extremes of yews. Planted to celebrate the new age of Wales’s oldest yews might weather, can regenerate from a millennium, they are keeping alive be measured in thousands rather small amount of living wood, is a unique churchyard yew heritage. than hundreds of years. If this capable of creating a new tree in the More information: thought stretches credulity too far, centre of its decaying outer shell, www.ancient-yew.org At Llangathen the trunk has split revealing internal growth

source of bioactive compounds. We think he’s succeeded wonder- fully well. The Apothecary’s Hall also A treasure trove contains an exhibition on tradi- As the biggest single span glasshouse in the world, the Great tional plant medicines from around Glasshouse is rightly considered to be the iconic building the world, and, just outside, there is of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthen. an Apothecary’s Garden where you can see many of the actual living However, Bruce Langridge, Interpretation Co-ordinator, plants that have been distilled into invites readers to another, far more modest, building which bottles, tubes and pills inside the houses a display that is possibly unique in Europe Hall. HE Apothecary’s Hall, a medicines in your local chemist If you want to come and see Trestored 19th century barn at were made directly from plants, this walk-through display, keep the National Botanic Garden of compared with the overwhelmingly an eye out for the many events we Wales, contains a re-assembled pharmaceutical origin of today’s run in and around the Hall and we Victorian pharmacy made up of pills, ointments and creams. regularly have volunteers on hand fixtures and fittings from around The pharmaceutical materi- to talk to visitors about the displays Wales. Maybe you remember this als and artefacts were donated by and the modern use of herbs. We kind of chemist’s shop – shelves Professor Terry Turner of Cardiff also run educational programmes full of odd-shaped, coloured University, who also oversaw the for schools. bottles inscribed with mysteri- development of the display. His For more information, please ous words, pestle and mortars aim has been to promote active visit our website made from brass and porcelain, a engagement, learning, and the www.gardenofwales.org.uk weighing machine for babies and appreciation of plants as a natural a prescription book packed full of Latin words and hydrographic symbols. The Apothecary’s Hall has these and much more – pastel coloured packets of Yardley’s Oatmeal Soap, scary looking ear syringes and eye irrigators, and archaic inhalers and nebulizers. There are drawers of dried herbs, many perfuming the air with exotic smells. You’ll also find anti-wrin- kle olibanum gum made from frankincense, dried myrrh used to treat wounds in the Middle East, and, in the counter display cabinet, you’ll find out how to make gold coated pills. It’s a treasure trove of what were once household items, but now evoke vague but warm memo- ries. These come from a pre-war age when the vast majority of 14 Pobl Dewi, June 2014

day and a blessing on our wander- ings. After the service we will take 100 years on The Saints and Stones the Coastal Path across the Gann to St John’s Church, Dale, where To commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1, lunch will be provided for a small an ecumenical service will take place at Carmarthen Park on annual pilgrimage 2014 fee by the Saints and Stones team, Sunday 3rd August at 2pm or you can bring your own packed Jennie Annis invites readers to allow themselves time and space lunch. At 2pm our wanderings will Y the end of WW1, nearly while journeying in the footsteps of our ancient saints B2,000 men who had will- take us across the airfield to the ingly joined up from their HAT is the point of a us to rediscover these sacred sites, Church of St Peter the Fisherman villages, farmsteads and home- Wpilgrimage, why make the to soak in the prayers of the ancients at Marloes. Here we will be given steads from Carmarthenshire had effort? My answer to this is, why and to allow the Holy Spirit to revi- a talk and a quiz about the church died in the service of their coun- not? We are made of mind, body talise our spiritual lives. and finish with a short service. We try. Every community throughout and spirit and all three need to be This year’s Saints and Stones will then drive to Oriel-y-Parc at Carmarthenshire was affected by in harmony for us to be healthy Annual pilgrimage will take place St Davids, arriving between 4.15 the loss of someone known to them in every aspect of our lives. The on 6 August and is, as usual, open and 5pm for tea (£2 per head). The and, after the war was over, it was modern world is lived at high to everyone and anyone, those who pilgrimage finishes with Choral decided that Carmarthen would be speed; mobile phones, texts and enjoy walking and those who wish Evensong in the cathedral at 6pm. the place to erect a fitting memo- Rowan Williams the internet interrupt every aspect to travel by car. We meet at 9.45am Throughout the day there will be rial to the fallen of the county. This Wyn Evans, Bishop of St Davids; of life. It is nearly impossible to at St Ishmael’s Church and begin stops for contemplation, readings monument was unveiled in Priory Most Revd George Stack, Arch- switch off completely, no one is with a short service of thanks for the and spiritual reflection. Street on 4 September 1924 by bishop of Cardiff; Rt Revd Tom inaccessible any more and we are the then Lord Lieutenant of the Burns, Bishop of Menevia; former all expected to be at the end of a County, Mr John Hinds, MP, who Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt click of the mouse or the press of had also lost a son in the conflict Revd and Rt Hon Lord Williams a button. Hence our minds go into in 1917. of Oystermouth (known to most of overload, which in turn damages The service in Carmarthen Park us as Rowan Williams) and senior not only the body but the spirit too will bring together both the Catho- members of the armed forces. and we neglect our spiritual lives lic and Anglican faiths, as well as Whitland and District Male Voice at our peril. Pilgrimage enables us many local chapels and churches Choir and Carmarthen Symphonic to recharge not only our minds and through the county in remem- Wind Band will also be taking part. bodies but also our spiritual lives, brance of the fallen. Among those All are welcome at what prom- it enables us to ground our lives in attending with will be Rt Revd ises to be a very special service. the lives and prayers of the saints before us, to rediscover our spirit- ual roots. Pilgrims were the first tourists, discovering holy places and sacred sites which we have in abundance in West Wales. Pilgrimage enables View from the coastal path near Dale

Carmarthenshire extends a warm welcome to all – Welsh Croeso i Eisteddfod speakers and non-Welsh speak- ers alike – to the National Eisteddfod, which is being held Genedlaethol Sir Gâr in Llanelli from 1st to 9th August. There is so much to see and do on the Eisteddfod field, whether you enjoy listening to music or being quizzed in science, to seeing craft or engaging in sport. The Eisteddfod is an opportunity to catch up with old friends, make new ones and have a great time

roeso yn wir i bawb i bydd ’na rywbeth at ddant bawb chofiwch hefyd am 11.00 bob Cdiroedd breision Sir Gâr ac i yno, o’r cystadlu a’r doniau di-ri bore o’r wythnos bydd galwad faes yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol fydd ar lwyfan y brifwyl, i’r i addoli ym mhabell Cytûn. yn Llanelli. Mae’n siŵr y bydd y croeso a’r sgwrsio yn y gwahanol Dewch yn llu felly i Faes maes yn un llawn bwrlwm a phob bebyll o gwmpas ar y maes. yr Ŵyl, ym Mharc Arfordirol math o weithgaredd i ddiddanu Bydd ’na groeso cynnes iawn y Mileniwm, Trostre, Llanelli, rhai o bob oed: yr ifainc iawn i chi ym mhabell Cytûn. Yno o’r 1af Awst i’r 9fed Awst, a a’r ifainc eu calon, y Cymry bydd yr Eglwys yng Nghymru yn phrofwch Groeso Sir Gâr. Cymraeg a’r rhai sydd yn dysgu, Esgobaeth Tyddewi yn rhan o’r Eileen Davies, neu’r rhai sydd am ymdrochi’n tîm, gyda Plant Dewi yn diddanu’r Diocesan Rural Affairs Adviser llwyr yn y traddodiadau a’r plant, ac Undeb y Mamau yn diwylliant Cymraeg. Yn wir, cynorthwyo gyda’r lluniaeth. A

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is important for us because all our ordinands have some connection Postcard from Kuwait with Wales-based provision, and it is precisely because Wales is not The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf recently held its first diocesan the Church of England, does not meeting in Kuwait which brought together theological educators have to subscribe to the present from across the diocese, together with the principals of two upheaval in training caused by the Indian Theological Colleges, and representatives of an English- Common Awards scheme based based and a Welsh-based course. John Holdsworth, Executive at Durham, and has a provincial Archdeacon in Cyprus and The Gulf, explains more rather than a party-based college, that it is attractive to us. E are trying to build an inte- ex-military, chaplains. The office Most of our discussion was Wgrated theological literacy of the first, retired, unpaid bishop positive, optimistic and hopeful. and ministerial training programme, amounted to a typewriter in the We are currently building a new effectively from scratch, which is an back of his Morris 1000, parked Theological Institute in the UAE. exciting project. In two years’ time outside his modest flat. Forty years The Indian Colleges can provide the diocese will celebrate 40 years on, that picture is unrecognizable some incredible practical pasto- of its independence, and setting up with thousands of people from The Theological Educators’ Group outside St Paul’s Church, ral contexts for training, as well a ministerial training programme many nationalities attending our Ahmadi, Kuwait as interesting course content, at for every kind of ministry, lay and churches, ministered to by fully economic rates. (Perhaps Wales ordained, is seen as a mark of our funded clergy, and very capable lay With a relatively clean sheet the Church in Wales was publish- could outsource to them, follow- coming of age and our maturity as leaders, from at least nine different of paper, we began by listing the ing a review of its training needs, ing the lead of bank call-centres.) a diocese. nationalities. Now we have four qualities we required from train- which paid little or no attention to If that’s a step too far I can In the early years, minis- ordinands in training, two resi- ing programmes, and the values we this kind of thinking, which was for certainly recommend a placement try was provided to mainly UK dentially, and one more recently wanted to see enshrined in them. us an important mark of individual in Kuwait. Oh – and the bishop no ex-pats by mostly retired, often selected. It is ironic that at the same time, identity as a Church. The review longer has a Morris 1000. Local, national and global decision-making The Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) meets every year for dialogue between the two communions. It has about 20 members, one of whom is Canon Peter Sedgwick, Principal of St Michael’s College Llandaff, who reports from the 2014 meeting

E met in South Africa from mutual consultation and support. year laity from across the world sent W11-21 May and the main There is also the Anglican Consul- in their views in each province on topic was how churches make tative Council, which includes laity, such matters as marriage, divorce, decisions. Anglicans have a well clergy and bishops, and which again contraception and sexuality. Tech- developed synodical structure. meets every few years. Finally nically this is the sensus fidei: the There are PCCs, diocesan synods the Archbishops of the Anglican sense each Christian has as to what (in England but not in Wales, Communion meet every so often is orthodox, faithful, and in accord- where the diocese has a confer- (the Primates Committee). ance with Christ’s will. Together Photo courtesy ACO ence, and lacks the power to vote All this is well known to Angli- the sensus fidei of all the baptised on issues), provincial synods (in cans. Roman Catholics (RCs) have make up the sensus fidelium, or on gender and sexuality. can Eucharist in a really deprived Wales the Governing Body) and none of this at synodical level. All what the church believes is Christ’s Next year we meet in Rome to township, with Zulu charismatic finally meetings of bishops at they have are meetings of bish- will for his people. There was much carry on these discussions and to singing, high mass and incense, regional (provincial) and global ops at different levels. There was a heated discussion as to whether RCs share them with Cardinals in the and fiery preaching. One RC said levels. The global level for Angli- real feeling this year at ARCIC that could include the laity as of right in Vatican. It was a very energizing that for the first time he knew what cans is the Lambeth Conference the Papacy may be changing, with synodical structures, and whether discussion, set in beautiful country- truly catholic worship was like. of bishops which meets every ten a recent consultation among lay they needed synods at all. Equally side outside Durban. Together, we Unity, he said, is needed so RCs years. This is not a decision-making people about how they felt about the RCs pressed the Anglicans on visited a church-run AIDS project, could experience such worship for body but it is very important for issues of family life. Earlier this their apparent divisions worldwide and a magnificent three hour Angli- themselves. Next year in Rome . . . Ysgol Bro Dewi: links around the world ears 5 and 6 in Ysgol Bro and St Davids. After his trip, which from Ysgol Bro Dewi. It is hoped YDewi, the primary school in he made alongside the head boy and the children of Ysgol Bro Dewi will St Davids, have been making links girl from Ysgol Dewi Sant, Rhys stay in contact with the children of with a primary school in Lesotho. Jones and Ebony Owen, he came Matsieng in the years to come. City Councillor Chris Taylor was back to the school with cards and Pupils at the school also organising a visit to Matsieng and letters from St Matthews School, in welcomed a group of children wanted the pupils to produce infor- Matsieng. They are pictured hand- from Belarus recently, who were mation leaflets about themselves ing over the letters to senior pupils the guests of the charity Chernobyl Children Lifeline UK. The chil- dren had all suffered from cancer Cyfraniadau ar gyfer Pobl Dewi as a result of the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in 1986 Y mae croeso i erthyglau oddi wrth ddarllenwyr, ac yn arbennig and were staying in Pembrokeshire cyfraniadau Cymraeg. to enjoy some fresh air and clean Dylid anfon erthyglau at y Golygydd: Tessa Briggs food. [email protected] The group spent the day play- ing and doing crafts with children neu fe ellir postio ffotograffau ynghyd â 50 o eiriau at: in Years 3 and 4, this included Pobl Dewi, making their own version of a love Swyddfa’r Esgobaeth, Abergwili, Caerfyrddin, SA31 2JG spoon. The children from Belarus wedi’u nodi at sylw ‘Y Golygydd’ are pictured with some of Years 3 and 4. 16 Pobl Dewi, June 2014

pan yn blentyn, yn cael ei anfon allan o’r dosbarth gan y prifathro Dŵr i sefyll ar y bompren a syllu i Water covers almost three-quarters of the earth’s surface and lawr ar afon Cothi. Byddai’r pen is vital to all known forms of life. Eluned Rees considers this tost yn clirio. Gwyrth natur. invaluable, and sometimes unpredictable, commodity Ar y llaw arall mae prinder dŵr yn achosi problemau enbyd. obeithio’n wir erbyn i ration, ond yr un faint a gâi pobl Dyna drueni na allem symud Gchi ddarllen hwn, y bydd y Llundain â’r Rhondda. Yn wir y gorlif mewn rhai mannau llifogydd wedi cilio a’r haul yn mae fy ngŵr innau’n cofio cael at yr ardaloedd yn y byd sy’n tywynnu! Roedd yn ofnadwy bath yn Aberystwyth am y tro dioddef o sychder. Mae’r ddechrau’r flwyddyn gweld y cyntaf wedi dod yno i’r coleg, hysbyseb ar y teledu yn gofyn ffermydd yng Ngwlad yr Haf ac yn methu cael gwared o’r am gyfraniadau tuag at Wateraid wedi diflannu o dan y dŵr, ond sebon a oedd dros ei gorff hyd yn effeithiol iawn. Cawn ein yn ddiddorol sylwi ar enw’r ardal. nes y cafodd gawod wedyn! hatgoffa pa mor lwcus ydyn ni Tybed a ddylai ffermwyr adfer Hefyd mae dŵr yn gallu newid i allu troi’r tap yn ddi-feddwl yr arfer o gael Hafod a Hendre o fod yn hardd i fod yn hyll. Wrth a chael dŵr glân bob dydd. fel yn yr hen Gymru, a symud fynd mewn trên i’r Swistir fis Yng nghanol yr holl ofid anifeiliaid i dir uchel yn y gaeaf? Ionawr, roeddwn wrth fy modd yn mae’n dda cofio geiriau Elfed – Ydy pob dŵr yr un fath? gweld Llyn Genefa, ac yn synnu ar ‘Daeth ffrydiau melys iawn, / Yn Soniai fy mam yng ngyfraith ei faint. Ond mor wahanol oedd fy llawn fel lli’, / O ffrwyth yr arfaeth am y sioc a gafodd o ddod i’r ymateb wrth wylio lluniau o’r dŵr fawr / Yn awr i ni’ – oherwydd fe Rhondda at deulu ei gŵr am y yn boddi tir ffrwythlon, a difetha glywais ar y radio bobl yn adrodd tro cyntaf, a hynny o Lundain. cartrefi yma. Ar yr un pryd mae sut y newidiodd eu bywydau am y Roedd y dŵr yn y Rhondda cerdded ar lan afon neu’r môr yn gorau wrth iddynt adael eu gwaith mor feddal o’i gymharu â dŵr gallu tawelu’r enaid. Byddai fy a mynd i helpu yng Ngwlad Llundain. Roedd sebon yn dal ar nhad, wrth ddioddef o migraine yr Haf. O ddrwg y daeth da.

Gwyddwn am un eglwys fydd yn gosod sgrîn fawr i fyny ar Mwy Gwerthfawr nag Aur 2014 gyfer y râs feicio ar Awst 3ydd gan Nancy Bora Kilon Dji gynnig cyfleisterau (yn cynnwys The Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow from bwyd a diod) yn rhad ac am ddim. Patricia Vincent-Crozier was pleased to be able to help one 23rd July to 3rd August. In the city renowned for its friendliness, Bydd eglwys Wellington, fel llawer young woman in Africa achieve her dream the Christian community is looking forward to offering a warm o eglwysi eraill ar agor er mwyn welcome to visitors, as Mary Sinclair explains rhoi cyfle i ymwelwyr gael cipolwg OME years ago while talking to o’r adeiladau ac i gynnig lle tawel SJennie and David Annis about AE Gemau’r Gymanwlad ei chyfeillgarwch ac fel rhan o’r i’r rhai sydd angen cyfle i weddïo their involvement in the Congo, in Mgerllaw ac mae gymuned Gristnogol mae arnom neu fyfyrio. Rwy’ finnau’n rhan o which I was already interested, I Glasgow’n byrlymu. gyfrifoldeb i estyn croeso twym- weithgareddau’r eglwys hon. Saif learnt about Nancy who, for want Fel un o drigolion y ddinas, galon i’r holl ymwelwyr a ddaw yr adeilad mewn sefyllfa amlwg of what we would consider a rela- rwy’n ymwybodol bod pwysau i’n plith. Mae nifer ohonom eisoes ar University Avenue. Byddwn yn tively small amount of money, was arnom i ddangos Glasgow ar wedi cynnig llety i’n teuluo- gwerthu ‘burgers’ wrth y gatiau ar unable to pursue her wish to be ei gorau. Mae paratoadau wedi edd, ein ffrindiau ac i rai nad ddiwrnodau rasus beicio, a thê a a nurse. I am a retired nurse and bod ar y gweill ers amser ac ydym yn eu hadnabod eto. choffi masnach dêg allan ar ben y when I considered how I entered mae’r cynnwrf yn cynnyddu. Bwriad nifer o gynulleidfaoedd grisiau enfawr ar ddiwrnodau eraill. the profession and how, for her, it Dymunwn dywydd godidog. yw i agor eu drysau gan ddarparu Yn ogystal, bydd ‘ceilidh’ (sef noson was only lack of money stopping Disgwylwn dorfeydd enfawr a lluniaeth ysgafn tra bydd eraill yn o ddawns) yn neuadd yr eglwys. her from becoming a professional, rhagwelwn awyrgylch danllyd. cynnal gŵyl deuliol neu noson Manteisiwn ar y cyfle earning some status in her commu- Mae gan Glasgow enw da am o fawl yn ystod y gemau. unigryw yma i adeiladu pontydd nity and helping her family, there ac i ddangos cyfeillgarwch. only seemed one course to take. Y corff sy’n gyfrifol am Nancy is a lovely girl from a gydgysylltu digwyddiadau big family with a few extra chil- eglwysig Glasgow yn ystod dren gathered in – this seems to be Gemau’r Gymanwlad yw ‘More the African way: that extra children Than Gold 2014’. Maent hefyd just tack on to the family if there yn trefnu’r rhaglen ‘Homestay’ ar is no one else to care for them. gyfer gwirfoddolwyr (Clydesiders) She lives a long way from the a theuluoedd yr athletwyr. college and up a very steep slope Bydd y ‘Mission and Service and, although she has a limp due Teams’ yn weithgar mewn nifer to lack of medical care when she o ffyrdd, a bugeiliaid y ffordd a was young, she was determined to bugeiliaid y gemau yn amlwg ar y get to college every day. It was a strydoedd; ac mae caplaniaid wedi’u very long walk and no doubt very sefydlu ar gyfer yr athletwyr. hot too. The situation in the Congo Dengys ystadegau bod tlodi is dangerous and volatile so she enfawr yn Glasgow ac mae had all those problems to contend in common as well as our nurs- profiadau eraill yn ein rhybuddio with as well. She attended college ing background. We keep each y daw mwy o broblemau wrth sgîl determinedly for three years and other in our prayers and it is really y gemau – digartrefedd, masnach did very well in her studies. Each special to know that someone so pobl, a materion amgylcheddol. year she sent me a complete break- far away, and whom I have never Gwariwyd miliynau ar ddeng down of all her expenses, every met, is thinking of me when times niwrnod o gystadlu, a’r gobaith photocopy, pencil, rubber etc! Now are tough and I hope she feels the yw y bydd Gemau’r Gymanwlad she is proudly running a clinic in same. If there is any way in which yn cyfrannu’n sylweddol tuag at Bukavu and contributing to her I can help her in the future I would newidiadau, ac y bydd y tlotaf yn y family’s welfare. be delighted to do so and I hope one gymdeithas yn elwa. Pwy a ŵyr? We have become good friends day to meet her in person. I feel we Hyderwn y bydd yr holl gost over the years and regularly swap know each other really quite well a’r ymdrech yn gadael ôl bositif ar information about our families, and there is a marvellous rapport y ddinas am flynyddoed i ddod. their health and their doings. She between us although our lives are www.morethangold2014.org.uk has a sick mother and I have an so different but then again in some elderly mother so we have that ways they are the same.

Photo: Permission Wellington Church Photo: Permission Wellington www.wellingtonchurch.co.uk Pobl Dewi, June 2014 17 Reflection

ambitions now he was no longer Skimming stones with the rebels and he had one prayer, to be able to go to school. Jennie Annis reflects on the often unexpected, but amazing, His faith was unshakable; IF he consequences of acts of faith and love prayed hard enough God would hear him and enable him to go to ARM sunny evenings are journey’s end. Just one action school. What else could we do, we Wwith us once again, an extra with continuing consequences. paid a year’s school fees for him. couple of hours in which to catch The pebbles skimmed across the Normally we only pay half the fees up on the work that never stops sea bounced two, three, four or each term and encourage the recip- coming, or do we use them as mini more times, making more and ient to find the rest, but such was breaks, to recharge our batteries. more ripples, God’s love reaching his outstanding courage and faith During a recent Parish Away Day further and further. Ripple after in God we made him an exception. we were invited to drop a pebble ripple intertwining with ripples We continued to pay half into a pool and reflect on the of the previous stone. As the chil- Buki’s fees until he finished ripples it made on the water and dren skimmed their stones across university. We introduced Buki to to consider the stones being our the water, the ripples from their some American aid workers and actions and the ripples in the water father’s stones also intertwined they too were encouraged by his as God’s love radiating out from with their ripples. depth of faith and they enabled him our actions. This made me think about a to study a law degree in Chicago. Later that evening I walked young man who befriended us in We heard by e-mail that last week stone, he skimmed it across the If we are those stones, do we along the beach with my son and Congo many years ago. He was an he graduated with an MA in Busi- water, we were the first ripple and sink without trace immediately leav- grandsons, watching contentedly ex-boy soldier fearing he would ness Studies and Law. the aid workers were the second. ing just a few tell-tale bubbles and as they skimmed pebbles across lose the use of his arm through a Our meeting with Buki can be More ripples are coming out of maybe one ripple of God’s love? Or the water, and it brought back the gunshot wound. We spent many likened to throwing a stone in the that skimming because in Buki’s do we skim our stones across God’s memory of the pebble in the pool months with him and he, a boy pond, Buki threw the stone and culture, if someone helps you to go oceans of love and watch the ripples from earlier in the day. In the pool of 9, became our protector. He we created the ripple by paying to school you must honour God by multiply and intertwine with the the pebble quickly sunk with- guarded us by night and helped his school fees, God’s love in sending someone else. Buki now ripples of other skimmed stones. out trace and the ripples on the us with our work during the day action. It could have ended there, pays the fees for two of his broth- May our reflections this summer be surface continued to the water’s taking on the role of interpreter as our Buki stone sinking without ers and a sister. Who knows where ‘am I a stone thrower or skimmer, or edge, God’s love rippling through our understanding of Lingala was trace, just one small ripple on the those ripples will end and with who am I too afraid to send out ripples of our lives until we reach our earthly very limited. We talked about his surface. But he didn’t throw the else’s ripples they will intertwine. God’s love?’

the Aberystwyth area, had known. who had trained as a priest in grandfather, Revd John Lewis After the service we all walked Cambridge, wrote to Lambeth Morgan, had been Vicar of St A cause for celebration down the hill to the Old School, Palace to complain of the poor Deiniol’s for 42 years from 1889 where an ample tea was enjoyed in state of the church here. Thus to 1931, and whom Bishop Wyn, On 4th May a service was held in St Deiniol’s Church, near the packed hall. Llanrhystud, to celebrate the 130th anniversary of its being built. began the rebuilding of the church when he was a young boy living in Barbara Evans reports from this well-attended service, at which which we know today. He also Bishop Wyn presided founded the National School – our Old School Hall. The Bishop also AVING been welcomed by is the third known building in this made mention of a much earlier HRevd Julian Smith, Bishop churchyard, it is a building, a mere church for, in 1347, St Deiniol’s Choral Evensong at Lampeter Wyn, in his bilingual sermon, shell in which we pray, yet it is a was a prebendal parish church of said that it was very opportune symbol of the future of the Church the collegiate church of Llanddewi that the 130th anniversary of the confirmed by the celebration of Brefi. Indeed this ancient link was building of this church was being our sharing the Communion within carried further back in time as celebrated on the third Sunday it, drinking the wine and eating the Deiniol was present with [Saint] after Easter. It was part of the bread just as the apostles had done David at the Synod of Brefi in 545. same story, of the crucifixion and with Jesus two thousand years ago. After the service the resurrection, and when two of the During his sermon, the Bishop Bishop greeted members of the apostles had walked with the risen also included a great deal about the congregation, often stopping to Jesus to Emmaus – a walk which history of the parish and those who talk about their families whom affirmed the survival and future had served as clergy. In the late he knew personally. Among of the Church. Even though this 1820’s, Revd Thomas Richards, them was Mrs Jean Jones, whose

Choral Evensong, The Eve of St David, took place in the College Chapel at Lampeter on 28th February, at which the guest preacher was His Excellency the Most Revd Kallistos Ware, Metropolitan of Diokleia. Pictured, from left to right: Revd James Patron-Bell, (Methodist Minister, Lampeter), the Vice-Chancellor Professor Medwin Hughes, His Excellency the Most Revd Kallistos Ware, Revd Dr John Morgan-Guy, Revd Chris Webb, Vicar of Lampeter Photo: Dewi Davies 18 Pobl Dewi, June 2014 Archbishop honours church musicians The Archbishop of Wales has paid tribute to people who dedicate their time to keeping music at the heart of services in churches and chapels across Wales, Sunday after Sunday. Organists, choral leaders and singers were presented with awards and certificates by the Archbishop, Dr Barry Morgan, at a ceremony at in Swansea recently

HERE were two types of Diocese received Certificates of Tpresentations – the Arch- Merit: bishop of Wales’ Award in Church • Mr Geoffrey Brookes of St Music, which recognises people of Ismael’s, Uzmaston, in recog- outstanding musical ability who nition of the service he has contribute to worship, and the given as organist of St Ismael’s Certificate of Merit which pays Church, Uzmaston for the past tribute to the talents and devoted years 15 years; service of musicians who contrib- • Mrs Bernice Jones of St ute without being professionally David’s, Llwynhendy, for her service as organist and chor- Milford Haven, for his service someone for next year, please visit trained. The awards are open to service as organist for the past ister within the parish for 30 as organist of the parish for 30 www.churchinwales.org.uk/misc/ musicians from all denominations 40 years; years; years. the-church-music-awards-of-the- of Christian worship. • Mrs Margaret Jones of St • Mr Michael Nicholas of St For more information about the archbishop-of-wales/ Four people from St Davids Mary’s, Haverfordwest, for her Katharine and St Peter’s, awards, including how to nominate Restorative justice Little Newcastle

New Commemorative continued from page 1 have been made to Burry Port, Tenby, Aberystwyth, Llandovery Great War Mr Salmon topped the poll in and he has also been to Aberaeron. the first-ever elections for Police & Later this year, Mr Salmon will Lectern at St Cynog’s Crime Commissioners in 2012 and hold further meetings in Amman- exhibition is serving a four-year term. ford (September 2), Milford Haven His visit was part of the (September, date to be confirmed), Your Voice initiative set up by and Cardigan (November 25). Mr Salmon to get the views and You can contact the Commis- concerns of communities across sioner on 01267 226440 or by Dyfed Powys. email to Previous visits in the diocese [email protected]

St Davids Diocese Lay Development Team Saturday 6th September 2014 10 am — 4pm

A jug which was produced to ‘Being There’ mark the outbreak of WW1 Supporting and Listening to the Bereaved ittle Newcastle is mark- Ling the centenary of the Great War by mounting an exhibition of A day of practical training with commemorative and crested china which will interpret some of the Bishop John Saxbee main war themes in a novel way. Five areas will be examined: To be held at: outbreak, the battlefield, Home The Community Hall, Front, victory/peace and modern commemoratives. Maenclochog, Over 150 pieces will be Photo left to right: Wayne Williams, Revd Dr Brian Jones Pembrokeshire, SA66 7LA displayed as well as other inter- and Cllr Terry Davies (Brother of Canon Islwyn Davies) esting artefacts. Promoted by the Refreshments and Lunch provided church, Community Association new oak lectern has been dedicated to the memory of the late and the Royal British Legion, ACanon Islwyn Davies, Rector of St Cynog’s Church, Ystrad- To book for this event please contact: the exhibition will be staged at St gunlais, who died on 18 January 2013. At an Easter Communion Helen McDermott 07794 772570 Peter’s on 2nd, 4th & 5th August Service in the church, Revd Dr Brian Jones, Associate Priest, dedi- (10.30am-8pm). Light refresh- cated the lectern which had been designed and crafted by parishioner Or email: ments available. Wayne Williams Admission is free but donations [email protected] invited for RBL Pembrokeshire. Pobl Dewi, June 2014 19 Love Food Hate Waste Fairtrade poster for

N the UK we throw away the cream for an easy pud. Iequivalent of around 1.5 million • Keep the children entertained every church sausages every single day from our by giving them refreshing homes! It really is quite staggering lollies made with left over fruit isn’t it? juice and yoghurts frozen into With summer approaching ice-lolly moulds. I’m sure we’ll all be dusting off • If you’ve got leftover cooked our BBQs and picnic hampers and meat, wrap it well and keep it making the most of the summer in the fridge – it will be good sun by dining al fresco. I thought to use for up to two days, alter- I’d share a few Love Food Hate natively pop it in the freezer for Waste hints and tips to help every- another time. one make more of their food this • Bread rolls that have gone a bit summer. stale will be delicious toasted. • Keep the fridge below 5oC Or make them into bread- to help food stay fresher for crumbs and freeze in a freezer longer. • Use a cool box or cool bag to bag to use later for making • Use up any ginger, garlic or help keep food fresh and tasty. stuffing, bread sauce or mix herbs lingering in the fridge by Keep food out of the fridge for with grated cheese for a gratin making a simple marinade for the shortest time possible and topping. meat, fish or vegetable skew- if you’re putting food out for a For some great recipes to ers. Chop and mix with olive party, try not to leave it out for accompany the ideas above and oil. more than two hours. some more top tips visit • Sliced lemons can be stored • If you’ve got veg which is past www.lovefoodhatewaste.com in an airtight container in the its best – such as courgettes, Love Food Hate Waste offers freezer for a great addition to aubergines and peppers – brush free, fun and interactive sessions cold drinks. Why not freeze them with olive oil and char- to help everyone make the most grapes and use as tasty ice grill until soft. of their food and save money. If cubes? • If salad is looking tired and you can bring together members of • If you’re inviting lots of wilted put it in a bowl of water your local community for a train- guests for a picnic or BBQ with a couple of ice-cubes to ing session we’d love to hear from and aren’t sure how much to get it nice and crisp again. you. buy and cook, try Love Food • If raspberries, strawberries Contact me Hate Waste’s online perfect and blueberries look past their [email protected] portion calculator at www. prime, cook gently in a sauce- Telephone 07712 852013 for lovefoodhatewaste.com/ pan until soft and then serve more information or to book a portions with crème fraiche or ice- session.

his poster is sent to every with St Asaph a close second. St Tchurch in the province which Davids, with just over 36%, has Mum’s the word has signed the pledge to serve now moved into fourth place after only Fairtrade tea and coffee. It is Llandaff. But that is far below intended to be displayed on church the 60% reached in 2007 when St Time was when all you needed noticeboards, both to remind Davids first became a Fairtrade for a Mothering Sunday treasure parishioners of their commitment diocese. Sadly this status has since hunt was to hide a dustpan and and as a witness to all who see lapsed. So, if there is no Fairtrade brush and a pile of ironing in the it. How wonderful it would be if poster on your church noticeboard, church. Nowadays, you’d rightly there was one in every church. please talk to your incumbent or get lynched. So the children in However there is still a long way PCC secretary and encourage them St Cledwyn’s, Llanglydwen, to go to reach the 70% of signed to sign the pledge form, or maybe had to find a steering wheel up churches required for the prov- to search for the poster amongst (one of our mums drives a bus), ince to achieve this status. So their mountains of paper. a laptop (another is a book- far only Bangor has succeeded, keeper), a 50-year-old milking machine, and – with a bow to a tradition which most households seem to keep up – a saucepan. Inside the pan was a box of chocolates for sharing after lunch – although half of them didn’t survive the service Flowers at All Saints, Llangorwen

All Saints’ Church, Llangorwen, held an exhibition and flower festival Reflected Glory: An exhibition of craftwork was held from 14th to on 19th and 20th April 19th April at Holy Trinity Church, Aberystwyth 20 Pobl Dewi, June 2014 Book Reviews

ingredients for the hymn ‘A King on high is reigning’ and is subtitled Thirty psalms ‘The Sovereign Lord of all’ – verse We all need to do something 2 is lovely – In the eye of the storm: for today’s church ‘As rains that gently nourish The autobiography of Sir and bring the seed to birth, John Houghton his righteousness shall flourish, With Gill Tavner A Mirror to the Soul his peace possess the earth; Pub: Lion Hudson; Oct 2013 By Timothy Dudley-Smith her sceptre kings acclaim him, ISBN: 978074595584 Music Editor: William Llewellyn before his feet they fall, Price: £9.99 Pub: Royal School of Church the nations kneel to name him Music; 2014 the sovereign Lord of all.’ Truth is the constantly recur- ring theme running through this ISBN: 978-0-85402-234-2 The music has been selected challenging autobiography of Price: £6.95 – and occasionally written – by a very eminent Nobel prize- (£5.21 RSCM affiliates) William Llewellyn, with a range of tunes, new and old. Some of winning Welsh scientist, who is Available from RSCM Music also a devout Christian – Sir John Direct. Tel: 0845 021 7726; them are already overused, such as Wolvercote and Abbot’s Leigh, but Houghton. After a distinguished [email protected] career lasting 32 years at Oxford Online: www.rscm.com/shop others are delightfully refreshing, such as Eric Routley’s Abingdon University, culminating in his Oh, yes, there is! Another new and John Rutter’s Toronto – even becoming Professor of Atmos- hymnbook; but before you groan, with its five flats! pheric Physics, he left academia this compilation, called ‘A Mirror These hymns can be used in 1979 to head up the Ruther- trade shop. Sailing and mountain to the Soul’, has all its 30 hymns easily for those who are of a litur- ford Appleton, a space science climbing have been his two great written by this generation’s equiv- gical persuasion, but they are support laboratory. The climate hobbies, and he describes the gran- alent to Isaac Watts (dubbed ‘the future. also general hymns for informal science in which he was increas- deur of Snowdon emerging from Father of English Hymnody’), The Royal School of Church worship. Organists will be pleased ingly involved was relatively new. swirling mist into the sunshine as Timothy Dudley-Smith. He’s based Music, which has published the with the book’s layout and clarity In 1983 he was appointed Director being like a glimpse of heaven. all the words on that powerhouse compilation, describes the hymns of music. General of the UK Meteorologi- He finds it helpful to think about of forceful theology, the Book of as ‘contemporary’, although some Perhaps a verse in the final cal Office, and was there when the God as present in a dimension Psalms. Nowadays, psalms are too of them seem to have been about hymn gives a fair summing up of great storm broke in 1987. beyond, but including, the normal often neglected, so it’s encouraging for years. Each of the hymns has a the spirit of the book; In 1988 Houghton became that Bishop Timothy is giving them sub-title which gives the theologi- heavily involved in the Inter- dimensions of time and space – a fresh look, bringing their eternal cal idea encapsulated in the words ‘For the strength of our salvation, governmental Panel on Climate transcendent, yet immanent, and precepts out of obscurity and into – for example, Psalm 41 inspires light and life and length of days, Change (IPCC) “which exists to adds: “Perhaps the most compel- modern worship patterns. Typical a hymn about ‘compassion, trust praise the King of all creation, explore and share the truth” as ling aspect of my quest for truth of his style, his gentle, straightfor- and confidence’, while Psalm 130 set your souls to sing his praise.’ the members know it – “its only is that it has led to more questions ward poetry woos the singer into speaks of ‘penitence and the dew – Hugh Ashley, Hymnologist agenda is accuracy and clarity”. than it has produced answers.” a warm haze of confidence for the of blessing’. Psalm 72 provides the He describes its proceedings over Naturally quiet and studious, the years in detail. It is shocking and not used to shouting, Sir John to read of “the fossil fuel indus- hopes this book will shout on his turn on the Beatitudes, the Lord’s try’s misinformation campaign” behalf that we all need to do some- Enlightening and Exciting Prayer, Jesus’ relationship to and “the immensity of the obstacle thing, such as switching to a green women and the parables, expand- to progress presented by the right energy supplier, improving our ing our understanding by referring Jesus Through Middle Eastern wing in American politics.” He home insulation, or limiting the to the original texts and gaining Eyes concludes that “there is no doubt miles we drive or fly. As Edmund new insights which were always Cultural studies in the Gospels that over the last 200 years the Burke said “No one could make a there but not immediately obvious. greater mistake than he who did By Kenneth E. Bailey amount of CO2 in the atmosphere Through this eastern perspec- Pub: SPCK has been increasing because of nothing because he could only tive he creates an interesting and ISBN 978-0-281-05975-1 human activities, particularly in the do a little.” – Amelia Gardner thought provoking study of Jesus Price: £12.99 burning of coal, oil and gas. Unless and an excellent study guide for drastic action is taken, CO levels This book was recommended to 2 students of theology, that will are expected to double from their me by the Dean of Bahrain during enlighten and excite the reader. pre-industrial value before the end a conversation about our mutual Music Sunday crosses – Gaynor Ford of this century.” interest in Middle Eastern culture 1 The Protoevangelium of James – Now aged 82, Sir John lives in and religion. Kenneth Bailey is an Oscar Cullman, Infancy Gospels, an old farmhouse with a panoramic faith boundaries American theologian who spent in New Testament Apocrypha, ed. view near Aberdovey, where his most of his life living, teaching Wilhelm Schneemelcher (Philadelphia: he Royal School of Church wife, Sheila, runs a Christian Fair- and lecturing at seminaries and Westminster Press,1963),1:370-88 TMusic (RSCM) has designated universities in the Middle Eastern 22nd June as Music Sunday, when countries of Egypt, Lebanon, Israel all denominations are invited to and Cyprus. celebrate music in their worship. He uses this experience, and descendent of David in the ’City Contributions to Pobl Dewi However, churches can choose his in-depth knowledge of texts of David’ would be an unspeakable We welcome articles of interest from readers and, in particular, another Sunday if this is incon- written in the ancient languages shame on the village . The section we would like to encourage submission of articles in Welsh. venient to them and the event can of Syriac, Aramaic, Greek and of the story of the Wise Men, he include a fund-raising element, Articles should be sent to the Managing Editor: Tessa Briggs, Arabic Christian literature, to put continues, begs many questions, with the proceeds being split forward cogent arguments for his “If the magi were east of Israel [email protected] between themselves and the work interpretations. and they saw the star in the east or photographs accompanied by a maximum of 50 words can be posted to: of the RSCM. Already, several churches in the UK and abroad are This study of Jesus in the four they should have gone to India!” Pobl Dewi, holding a range of events includ- Gospels opens with a provoca- He identifies what he sees as these The Diocesan Office, Abergwili, Carmarthen SA31 2JG, ing one inter-faith choral concert tive chapter on the birth narratives misinterpretations from an account marked for the attention of ‘The Editor’ which questions our popular written by an anonymous Christian to be given jointly by choirs from understanding and he highlights author 200 years after the Gospel a church and a synagogue in North what Bailey sees as critical flaws. accounts1. He continues examining Disclaimer London. Another event will take place on the Cote d’Azur. On 22nd Middle Eastern culture and hospi- the narrative through the geneal- Pobl Dewi and the diocese of St Davids take no responsibility, liability June RSCM Director Andrew Reid tality at that time, he states, would ogy of Jesus, the wise men and the or share the views or opinions of any articles contained herein. All will be directing an RSCM Choral not turn away a pregnant woman vision of Isaiah. information is the responsibility of the person or organisation submitting Festival in St Asaph Cathedral. about to give birth in her husband’s By this time in the book you the article. Pobl Dewi take no responsibility for any errors or omissions “home town” – to do this to a are hooked as Bailey focuses in More information: www.rscm.com