Pobl Dewi June 2018.Indd
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Meithrin Gobaith Growing Hope www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi June / Mehefin 2018 A series of unexpected events The Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones charts her path to becoming the new Dean of St Davids ARAH Rowland Jones was “It was as though they were me!’ So I was very open to the discovered a lot of ethical consen- ing. Having some spare time while born of Welsh stock, with friends of Jesus and they brought possibility of full-time Christian sus underlay effective foreign studying Hungarian, before her SAnglican and Methodist me along so I could become service. But I felt I’d pushed lots of policy.” Budapest posting, she offered her roots. She is, after all, descended friends too; I’d yearned for it but doors and none of them opened.” Success followed, with post- local church a helping hand. They from the family of the Anglican didn’t realise that was how it could Instead, she found herself ings to Jordan and Hungary. In made her publicity officer for a clergyman and revivalist preacher happen.” entering student politics, rising between, in London, her respon- forthcoming ecumenical mission. Daniel Rowland. The path led to Cambridge to become deputy president of sibilities included energy policy, It was a turning point. “I She first attended Church in University where she studied math- the students’ union. From there, counter-terrorism then EU enjoyed it so much I asked: Lord, Wales services in Welsh when ematics and where she met a new government service beckoned. relations. visiting her great aunt Sallie in student called . Joanna Penberthy. “I wanted a job where I could But something was still miss- continued on page 3 Tregaron. “We were in the same college; make a difference for good, and “I was baptised an Anglican; I was a year above her and the entered the civil service exams. sent to Sunday School, but we were meeter and greeter for freshers.” When I was offered a job with the intermittent churchgoers. It’s a friendship that was to last. Foreign Office, I was gobsmacked! Eglwys berffaith? “In my teens, a time in life But the journey on which her “It felt like ‘Lord, is this your for asking all the big questions, I faith then led was unexpected. “I’d idea of a joke?’! as the door that decided to be confirmed and joined heard endless sermons on Isaiah 6 opened seemed to be into the the school Christian Union. – ‘Who will go? Here am I, send ‘dirty world of politics’. But I soon “I’r Dyfroedd Byw” oedd thema Feiblaidd y gynhadledd gyntaf uniaith Gymraeg i’w chynnal yn Esgobaeth Tyddewi ddiwedd Ebrill. Mewn sesiwn llawn sbri a chwerthin bu trafod ar beth sy’n wir hanfodol mewn eglwys. Mewn grwpiau o 3 neu bedwar (a phawb yn gwisgo ffedog blastig!) clywyd y newyddion bod ein heglwys ni wedi ei dinistrio. Sut eglwys fyddai’n heglwys newydd berffaith ni? Wedyn aed ati i dreio ‘adeiladu’ model o’r eglwys berffaith mewn cacen, bisgedi, siocled a melysion. Yn y difyrrwch trafodwyd pynciau o bwys mawr, am yr angen am adeilad hyblyg i addoli a chymdeithasu ynddi. Y stori lawn ar dudalen 9 BUKAVU: THE ONGOING CONFLICT – Page 16 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, June 2018 should be encouraged to empower women in Wales . Take a look Governing Body around the room,” asking all the Ring in the new female members to stand up. “This Paul Mackness reports from the spring meeting of the Governing N, Saturday 12th May, after worked so hard to get the repairs Body, which was held in Llandudno over 11th-12th April a great start to gender equality in the Church in Wales. Let’s see how O nearly two years of having done, and also to our bell-ringers HE Church in the Public dimensions to debates and topics. we include women at all levels of the bell tower repaired and water- who never gave up hope of ringing TSquare was a major item on the Following on from Revd Dr ministry . Instead of looking for proofed in St Martin’s Church, again. We also had some bell-visi- business of the Governing Body Harri Williams’ Private Member’s the same people to take on roles Laugharne, the new bell ropes, tors on 12th May who enjoyed a (GB). Members were asked to Bill at the last GB Meeting there each time, let’s encourage diversity naturally in Laugharne colours, ring-around – not sure if that’s a work in groups to look at a number was a debate about the Bench of – women can bring so much to the were blessed by Fr Chris Lewis- technical campanological term, of questions, following the show- Bishop’s decision to admit all of table if only given a chance.” Jenkins. During the blessing, the anyway a good time was had by ing of a short film, which looked the baptised to Holy Commun- Other business included new ropes were held by our Bell all. They even let Fr Chris have a at Christians and their engagement ion. Interestingly this became less the new Cathedral Scheme for Tower Captain, Sheila Griffiths. go: not a wise thing to do really! in public life. Revd Gaynor Ford, about confirmation and more about Newport Cathedral, along with a Well done to everyone who from our own diocese, who served the whole area of baptism prepa- realisation that there cannot be a for many years as a magistrate, was ration and policy. More than 20 one-size-fits-all model for cathe- featured. members contributed to the debate. drals. There was also an emergency Darren Millar AM, and Chair There was also a presentation motion about the situation in Syria, of the Assembly Cross Party Group from a student from the Diocese of urging the British Government to on Faith, also addressed the GB, St Asaph, Laura Lloyd-Williams, use all diplomatic channels before urging members to actively engage who was the youngest Angli- resorting to military action. in public life and politics. He noted can delegate to the recent United Further details of GB business the huge impact for good that Nations’ Commission on the and news are in Highlights, avail- Christians had made to the public Status of Women (UNCSW62). able in churches or online. life of Wales, often bringing ethical She spoke with passion and grati- tude at being asked to represent the Church in Wales in New York. Among the topics discussed were indigenous rights, access to healthcare and education, harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation and childhood forced marriage, LBTQI+ rights and intersectionality and human traf- ficking and modern slavery. She said, “I pledged to bring back to the Church in Wales all I learnt to Transition news help us to empower women across It has been almost a year since Marianne Osborne began work Wales. Laura said more diversity Revd Dr Harri Williams Gaynor Ford as Transition Missioner. She is enjoying meeting, and working with, the LMA teams as the changes are rolled out T is true to say it is a taxing but Diocese Transition Team – here I exciting area of diocesan life you’ll find snippets of our work and A promising start to be a part of – I’m especially up to date information. enjoying the challenges of work- Also please do add to your Matthew Hill is encouraged by a series of services held across the diocese ing with so many different people! prayer list our LMAs currently I’d like to thank all the teams I’m working towards licensing: Bro BOUT 100 people attended tions the group now plans to reflect currently working with for warmly Lliedi – LMA Dean Revd Canon the three celebrations of the upon them and consider its next A welcoming me into their LMAs Huw Mosford; Bro Teifi – LMA Eucharist sponsored by Chang- steps as it seeks to build upon and especially for being so recep- Dean Revd John Bennett; Greater ing Attitude Transnewid Agwedd this promising start. CATAC will tive to the change which is upon us. Dewisland – Revd Canon Mike Cymru (CATAC) at which Bishop continue to seek constructive and If I can be of any help in start- Rowlands; Bro Sancler – Revd Joanna presided and preached. prayerful engagement with those ing discussions or equipping your Canon Ann Howells; Emlyn Group These were held at St Patrick’s both within the Church and outside ministry team in anticipation of – Revd Canon Dewi Roberts; Fish- Pembroke Dock on 5th March, it across the Diocese of St Davids. moving into an LMA please don’t guard Group – Revd Christopher Llanbadarn Fawr on 16th April The core fellowship now numbers hesitate to contact me. Brown. and concluded with St John’s about 14 people and new members Find us on Facebook – St Davids Carmarthen on 1st May. The size would be welcome. Anyone wish- of the congregation grew with ing to become more closely each celebration and it was great involved can contact us through the to welcome over 50 people to the Facebook page: concluding service at St John’s and www.facebook.com/catacdsd/ the light meal which followed it. It was good to be able to welcome people with a range of convictions from across the diocese. Some who attended clearly would not feel able to agree with the stance that CATAC takes on same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ issues. Others voiced their support and gratitude for the ‘safe space’ and acceptance which they found at these celebrations, highlighting the enormous personal value and significance.