Meithrin Gobaith Growing Hope www.stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi December / Rhagfyr 2018 You only have to ask Pat Rogers encourages those struggling to make ends meet to get in touch

E know the familiar line and cannot feed themselves balanced, non-perishable, tinned account of the angelic and their families. 1 in 5 of the UK and dried food with the addition Wvisitation to the shep- population lives below the poverty of long-life milk and fruit juices herds outside Bethlehem over line (statistics provided by Trus- for the size of each family. Each 2,000 years ago: ‘Do not be afraid. sell Trust). Financial crisis is not of the Foodbank I bring you good news that will a one-size-fi ts-all scenario, people Centres also operates a Foodshare cause great joy for all the people.’ fall into debt for many reasons and system: fresh produce, which is (Luke 2:10) there comes a point when there is just out of date, is donated by large For the many volunteers in no food and, without a local food supermarkets, local mini markets, Pembrokeshire Foodbank, in this bank, very little hope of getting food producers and wholesalers. season, we would wish for an any. Often the volunteers will make angelic visitation to those families Pembrokeshire Foodbank, like wholesome, tasty soups out of the who are struggling, to say please the majority of food banks, operates fresh vegetables that have been don’t be afraid, come and fi nd good on a voucher system; there are many donated and this can be eaten on news at the nearest food bank to agencies who can give emergency the day or frozen along with bread you. vouchers to those in need and with to support those families, at a later As an organisation, we are whom they are in touch. This voucher date, who have been courageous good news for those who struggle needs to be taken to the nearest enough or desperate enough to fi nancially and who, despite their food bank centre and exchanged for admit their need. best eff orts, fall below the poverty at least three days of nutritionally Pembrokeshire Foodbank volun- teers are aware that families seek support when there is a fi ve-week month, as the monthly income tends to be manageable only over four weeks. In the current fi nancial climate, with the roll- out of Universal Credit, food banks around the province and further afi eld have been reporting an increase in demand. More individuals and families are unable to manage the change to a single monthly payment when they have been managing with smaller, more team frequent payments. These may well have been families that have There are a number of ways of not previously needed food bank supporting the most vulnerable in support. our communities. We would like It is often the perception that to hear from any church or organi- poverty is more of an issue in urban sation who would like to hold our areas, as it is perhaps easier to vouchers to give to those in need. recognise than the hidden poverty When giving to any Pembroke- that occurs in rural areas. Places shire Foodbank, one seasonal, that have infrequent and expensive festive idea is to ask families to public transport can leave families create a reverse Advent Calendar, WW1 unable to make contact easily with each day choosing a treat to put support networks. For example, a into a box which can then be given The car needing an MOT when money to your local food bank. is very tight can spiral a family into If you have a regular box for Remembers debt crisis and in need of food bank donations in church, please contact support, as will the breakdown of pages 13-14 any electrical appliance. continued on page 11 https://pembrokeshire.foodbank.org.uk/ FOCUS ON GETTING INVOLVED – Pages 10 & 11 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

Appointments

Revd Dr Marc Rowlands appointed Priest in Charge in the Benefi ce of Lampeter w Maestir & Silian & Betws Revd Vivian Sayer Revd Dr Caroline Jones Revd William Lambert Revd Heidi-Maria de Gruchy Bledrws & Llangybi, to become Stipendiary Priest appointed Curate with appointed Priest in Charge of appointed Associate Priest of 27 November 2018 in Charge of Llansadwrn and responsibility for Garnant and ’s w Llansaint & St Ishmaels’s w Llansaint & Llanwrda and Manordeilo and Cwmgors, 25 October 2018 Ferryside, 22 October 2018 Ferryside, 22 October 2018 Llanfair, 30 January 2019

MAECymru: Being Church inspired by the past in a changing culture Mones Farah, Archdeacon for Evangelism and New Christian MAECymru Merched a’r Eglwys – Ministry and Equality in the Communities, looks forward to the challenges of his new post Church in welcomed over 30 leading women in public life, education, church organisations and charities working for equality O, what does an Archdea- and diversity in West Wales to a networking lunch in celebration S con for Evangelism and New of the achievements of the suff ragettes 100 years ago Christian Communities do? At the heart of this question is HE lunch was hosted by the lard, Archdeacon of Bangor and the understanding that the Church Bishop of St Davids at Llys MAECymru Chair, also welcomed T needs to re-emerge in every gener- Esgob, , on Saturday guests and said, “in this suff ragette ation and culture. This is nothing 27th October. In her welcome, centenary year, MAECymru draws Revd Sulin Milne new and has been happening Bishop Joanna spoke of the value inspiration from their fi ght for to become LMA Vicar in throughout the ages and history of working together for common equality, and from women in Wales the United Benefi ce/LMA/ of the church. The re-emergence aims inspired by the achievements who have since continued to strive Deanery of Bro Lliedi, becomes critical when there is a of women in the past and in cele- for equality in their own fi elds. We 11 December 2018 huge cultural shift and many of bration of the work currently being celebrate the progress that has been us believe that we are now at the done to embed equality in all areas made, and want to encourage one heart of a cultural shift. That is of life. another for all that has still to be why it is essential for us to think Vicky Thomas spoke about done. Our membership and confer- about doing Church and being Plant Dewi’s project working with ences are open to all. Please join us Church in a diff erent way right women and families to tell the – there is strength in numbers, and now. To be blunt, these new ways issues that that the world is facing suff ragettes’ story in poetry and stay in touch through our website are needed for the survival of the today. This is the new archdeaconry craft being undertaken with the www.maecymru.org.uk and with Church and for passing the faith that the Bishop has set up; it func- support of a Wales Government local members to share experiences and its full expression on to the tions outside the box, looking for grant. and support.” next generation. fresh and creative ways to engage The Venerable Mary Stal- The new post of Archdeacon with society and the world at large, for Evangelism and New Chris- engaging with cutting-edge princi- tian Communities has been set up ples and patterns of being, with the to facilitate and bring into being sole purpose of winning new disci- these new ways. It is based on ples for Christ. the thinking that if we just carry This new archdeaconry is to on with what we are doing, as we go outside the present parameters have throughout the age of Chris- and boundaries of today’s Church, Revd Alexandra Grace tendom, it is going to lead us to a seeking to win unchurched people appointed Priest in Charge of point where the Church and Chris- to Christ, to be a sent Church to , tianity head towards being relics those who consider themselves to 22 November 2018 of a bygone age. Relegated to the be outsiders, yet, as we all know, past, irrelevant, small and of no deeply, fully and wholeheartedly consequence. loved by God. But let us imagine together a Some have called it Fresh FINAL Church that is relevant to a young Expression Church, others have generation, a Church that engages called it New Church, but to be COPY DATE with their culture, a Church which honest with you it is simply a for the March makes Jesus relevant and real to contemporary Church engag- them, a Church which gives fresh ing with and winning the present edition of and new answers to the perplexing Church for Christ. Pobl Dewi Watch Mones’ presentation to Diocesan Conference: 6 February https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/2018-diocesan-conference/ Pobl Dewi, December 2018 3

“No, but some of them are also Share Wars parishes without vicars and they In a diocese far, far away . . . are contributing.” And so it went on but eventually O, Archdeacon Richard”, work so that another vicar can be he said, “You’ve got a choice. You “S members of the Church appointed. But it’s not about paying can either contribute your ministry Council said, “why should we pay for what we get. It is about working share and act as if you’re part of our ministry share when we don’t together and sharing resources.” the diocese, or keep your money in have a vicar?” “But what would happen if we the bank and act as if you’re not.” “Because it’s not to pay your didn’t pay?” After further argument and a vicar. It’s your contribution to the “I wouldn’t send out the bailiffs vote they agreed to pay. But the diocesan funds which are needed to and there wouldn’t be a ceremonial Archdeacon realised he could have pay all the clergy in the diocese.” cursing at the cathedral! We would said that they had a third possi- “So let the parishes that have carry on providing what support bility. They could have paid their vicars contribute to the cost of we can and trying to find you ministry share and rather than keep them.” another parish priest, but we’d do the remainder to help themselves “But you are part of the diocese it knowing that you are acting as if another day they could give away as well.” you are not part of the organisation the rest of their reserve to Christian “But we don’t get anything out we belong to. And other parishes Aid and help people who need it Tube © You of it.” would have to pay more.” now. “You do. You have the support “Not much. Our share spread (Adapted from The Coun- Thankfully, such thinking good news stories about success- of a Dean, you can draw on the among all parishes in the diocese try Vicar by David Osborne, DLT surely never goes on in St Davids ful fund-raising initiatives please resources of the training depart- would not cost them each much 2004, pp.151-153). Diocese! However, if your church share them so that they can help ment and others, the diocese more.” is struggling financially please get inspire others. contributes to the expenses of your An extended version of this article can be found at in touch promptly with the Dioc- Huw Anderson, visiting clergy and there are people https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/life/pobldewi/pdextra/ esan Office to see if we can help. Mission Resources Officer in the administration doing the Likewise, if any churches have

An update on Ministry Share

Drawing on Peter Campbell’s article, ‘Ministry Share and you’, (Pobl Dewi, December 2013) Christine Thomas, Finance Assistant in the Diocesan Office, provides an update on the way Ministry Share is calculated INISTRY Share is how required. This is the biggest item table activities and donations. The Mparishes share the finan- in the budget (84.4%=£4,288,114) total estimated income is circa cial cost of spreading the Gospel and includes stipends, pensions, £1,504,515. Therefore, the differ- and maintaining ministry across housing, expenses and training. ence, i.e. £3,566,932, is the sum to our diocese. It is a commitment Overall it costs £49,520pa for each be funded by Ministry Share. of faith, not a tax or imposition, full-time paid cleric. Secondly, how the ‘share’ is deter- which was founded in the earliest Other expenses include quin- mined is based on the previous days of the church and is described quennial inspections, grants, youth year’s average Sunday church in the Book of Acts. teams, property costs, safeguard- attendance. These figures are We are frequently asked: ing and administration. This brings supplied by parish wardens and 1. How is this pool of funds the total budget required in 2019 to incumbents. It is essential that they calculated? £5,071,447. are correct. 2. How is the cost shared? Some of the costs are offset The Calculation: The total Firstly, the money needed is by income and in 2019 the average Sunday attendance for calculated annually in the dioce- will give us a 2017 was 4,482. If a parish had san budget. The Bishop and senior grant of £1,159,230. Income also an average Sunday attendance of staff calculate how many clergy are derives from investments, chari- 20 that parish’s share would be 3,566,932/4,482x20=£15,916.70. (£795.83 per capita.) (Any set of statistics should only be used for the purpose for which they were collected. Aver- age Sunday attendance figures of what an individual should pay ongoing increments of 5% until are used to calculate the Ministry and should not be regarded in that parity is achieved. N.B. ‘Smooth- Share that the parish pays from way.) ing’ will impact on the base figure its total income, which includes Last year the process was of £795.83 until parity is achieved. fund raising events and so on, as ‘smoothed’ to try to achieve some Further information can be well as individual contributions parity between parishes. The obtained from the Finance Depart- from parishioners. It follows that ‘smoothing’ applied was +/-15%. ment: 01267 236145 the statistics are not an indication In 2019 it will be +/-20% with

For more articles which, unfortunately, could not be accommodated in this issue, plus translations of some, please visit the PD Extra page of our website: www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk/life/pobldewi/pdextra/ 4 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

time to look with fresh eyes at our A shared vision communities utilising all the gifts of our new LMAs to develop new Marianne Osborne, St Davids Transition Missioner, was delighted opportunities to do what we have to have been invited to speak to the Diocese of a few been called to do: to go out into the weeks ago world to share the good news of the FTER being invited to present priorities. A ministry of all believ- gospels, proclaiming Jesus Christ A some of the challenges of ers, Christ sets this example in as our redeemer and saviour. change that we have encountered John’s gospel, telling his disciples The transition team and senior since we began our diocesan strat- that he came ‘to serve and not to be staff have been working at such a egy for growth a number of years served’. This encourages us, as the tremendous pace over the last year ago, it was interesting to hear church of today, to continue find- that meeting the team at Edin- that our brothers and sisters in ing ways of being there to support burgh gave me the opportunity to the Church of are facing the communities in which we stand take a breath and reassess where many of the same issues that we are and the only way we can serve our we currently stand. As we are now confronted with today. I was filled communities is by being an active half way through our period of with hope and positivity to see that part of what’s going on within transition, I was reminded, during we both share a great enthusiasm them. my presentation, of how excit- and motivation for identifying new As we continue our formational ing a prospect becoming an LMA opportunities for growth in our work, becoming a Local Ministry is, with so many opportunities in respective . Area (LMA) gives us the oppor- so many different ways – that is I explained to my hosts that, tunity to regroup and reassess as certainly a diocesan strategy worth here in St Davids Diocese, being a our pastoral boundaries expand. sharing. serving church is high on our list of Change enables us to use this Governing Body Report Paul Mackness reports from the autumn meeting of the Governing Body (GB), which took place at the University of Wales, Trinity St Davids, Lampeter, from 11th to 13th September

HE agenda for this session was importance of everyone being able Tmixed and not without contro- to be involved in the conversation versy in parts. The topic which if the Church in Wales (CiW) were seemed to dominate and drew to adopt the process from its Scot- much attention from the media was tish sister church. John, the lead Bishop on Evan- Lent and Easter to the rest of the the question of same-sex relation- gelism, proposed areas in which church liturgical year. ships. The Bench of Bishops had Secret ballot evangelism could become a disci- There was a also a report invited the Most Reverend Mark In a secret ballot, members were pline in our provincial, diocesan from Revd Canon Gareth Powell, Strange, the Primus of the Scottish asked to agree, or not, with the and ministry area structures and the Secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to address the statement: “It is pastorally unsus- this was followed by a debate on Conference of Great Britain, who GB on what had happened in Scot- tainable for the Church to make ‘Evangelism, Pioneering Ministry presented the current developments land and what process they had no provision for those in same-sex and Growth’. Evangelism is very between the undertaken prior to them voting in relationships.” The bishops delib- much on the agenda for the CiW as and the Methodist Church, moving favour of allowing gay marriage. erately abstained from voting, it enters its second century. towards a greater understanding Following canonical, doctrinal and but the result was 76 members in New material for use by and recognition of each other’s liturgical discussions there had © Scottish Episcopal Church agreement with the statement and parishes and clergy was launched, ministers with all the issues that the been a long period of consultations The Most Revd 21 who disagreed. entitled Times and Seasons. The matter of Bishops and Episcopacy and discussions at both national The launch of a video on evan- Standing Liturgical Advisory brought to the debate. and local levels – described as a unsurprisingly, polarised between gelism was a break from the debate Committee has produced new Full details in Highlights, avail- ‘cascade’ process. those in favour and those opposed, and highlighted six different stories material bilingually which ranges able in parishes and online. The question and answer with many emotional speeches on from across the diocese (available from Advent to Epiphany with session which followed was, both sides. Bishop Mark urged the on the CiW website). Bishop Andy further material promised from

of Christian identity. This must be during the Week of Prayer for The quest for unity given in an ecumenical commun- Christian Unity (18-25 January ion. After all, God sent His Son into 2019). the world to save human beings and The Churches Together in Brit- gather them back into one family. ain and Ireland have produced in a divided world If we believe that, the Church, as wonderful resources for next year, As we approach 2020, when nearly all the old parishes in the a sacrament of unity, is therefore focusing on the churches of Indo- diocese will be part of Local Ministry Areas (LMAs) in larger called to work to re-establish its nesia, where there is a strong groupings, it may be an ideal time for us all to take stock and see own unity and to draw others into emphasis on the need for unity if, together as denominations, we can forge closer links to further the one family. alongside the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. the kingdom of God. Huw Mosford, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, Sacrament of salvation The resources also highlight lays down a challenge Another prominent Church leader issues of economic injustice and HE term ecumenism and As one prominent Roman self-evangelisation that includes has said the Church, can be the how religious pluralism is chal- Tecumenical come from the Catholic Cardinal has stated “To conversion to the ecumenical “sacrament of salvation for the lenged in the face of radicalisation. Greek οἰκουμένη, which means be effective evangelisers, the Cath- search for Christian unity. world only if it does not offer the The theme is based on Deuteron- ‘the whole inhabited world’. The olic Church and other Christian There is always a connection world the deplorable spectacle of omy 16:18-20, ‘Justice, and only ecumenical vision comprises both churches must constantly undergo between mission and Christian its own division.” justice, you shall pursue . . .’ the search for the visible unity their own conversion to a stronger unity, a connection that gave birth Therefore, in 2019 the Dioc- The material can be ordered of the Church (Ephesians 4:3) commitment to Christian unity, so to the ecumenical movement more esan Ecumenical Committee is from www.ctbi.org.uk and the ‘whole inhabited earth’ that the evangelising task can be than 100 years ago. Surely we must challenging all LMAs to take up (Matthew 24:14) as the concern of carried out in a credible way.” The witness to the love of God, which one new ecumenical venture. all Christians. Church itself continually needs a is an integral and fundamental part Perhaps we could do more Pobl Dewi, December 2018 5 Cefnogaeth: Running the Race Fenella Strange reports from a day conference for clergy spouses EING a clergy spouse is no Prudence Bell, a clergy spouse of B picnic, and, on 17th Novem- 48 years’ experience. Her three ber, 27 of us from across the talks in the morning were based on Province gathered at St Edmund’s, our reading from Hebrews 12:1-3, Crickhowell, for a day of worship, on running the race set before us, teaching, fellowship and mutual and offered an engaging mixture encouragement. of scriptural insight, challenge Cerian Wathen, clergy wife from (“My spouse’s greatest need is my Swansea and Brecon diocese, is the personal holiness”) and lively anec- inspiration behind the conference. dote. Each of the talks was followed Finding Faith. . . is a new online video series in which the She has had first-hand experience by ten minutes’ silence for personal Bishop and members of her senior staff tell their stories of of the thoughtful, focussed support reflection and private prayer, with a how they found not the Church but faith itself. Over the next provided by a group in the CofE, helpful sheet of questions to guide few weeks, it will grow into a collection of testimonies that and is keen to see similar support us and lead our thinking. shows the diversity of ways in which God can make the call offered to clergy spouses in the Lunch in the parish hall was https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/finding-faith/ Church in Wales. provided by the St Edmund’s Cerian Wathen, The church family at St catering team and offered an oppor- “It was my idea’” Edmund’s gave us a warm welcome, tunity to enjoy an excellent meal headed by Moseena Rana, whose while building new friendships and at a more personal level, reminding small-group sharing and prayer, a group, followed, before Cerian husband is the vicar of Crickhow- consolidating older ones. us of the privilege, the cost and the time greatly enhanced by the sensi- lead us in commending one another ell. Our opening worship was led Back in the church, the after- spiritual demands of life as a clergy tive piano music that created an to God in the words of the Grace. by the music group and followed a noon kicked off with Cerian’s story spouse. This was followed by a appropriately prayerful atmosphere The first meeting of Cefnogaeth reassuringly familiar pattern based of how Cefnogaeth came about and brief question-and-answer session. and ensured privacy for the sharers provided those who attended with on Anglican liturgy. her own and the committee’s hopes One of the priorities for the and the pray-ers. fellowship and encouragement. We Our speaker for the day was for its future. Pru then spoke to us organisers was to make time for A time of sung worship, lead hope and pray that it will be the again by the St Edmund’s music first of many such meetings. Diocesan Conference 2018 Listening for the call Two topics dominated this year’s diocesan conference: evangelism and the progress towards establishing Local Ministry Areas (LMAs) Robb Wainwright, Diocesan Lay Development Officer, reflects on his calling and encourages readers to serve on the Lay MAs: In her keynote address, young people, and the stark situa- £3.5m shortfall in the funds avail- L Bishop Joanna stressed that, tion facing the Church without it. able to support the stipendiary Development Team while it was not something anyone “Let’s be radical,” he said. clergy due in part to the continuing AM writing this article at a wanted to do, the diocese faced no “They are not coming to us. Let’s drop in receipts from the Prov- I time when we, as a country, alternative. go to them!” But he said that while ince. Nevertheless, he said “we are are preparing to commemorate the “We simply don’t have the there was disenchantment with committed to finding the resources centenary of the end of the First money to support a stipendiary Church, there was a lot of inter- needed to finance the Bishop’s World War. This time of remem- priest in every parish,” she said. est in spirituality. “We need to be strategy for the diocese.” brance is, for me, a very poignant “But I value the way that, even putting in place things that engage A motion to appoint a new panel one when I recall my own years of if you hate it, you’ve come to the with that,” he said. “We need to find to take responsibility for chairing service and the friends I knew and meetings, you’ve been honest and groups that are meeting and go and the conference was passed unani- lost, not in battle but to training you’ve taken part.” join them . . . creating partnerships mously. However, some members accidents. Their deaths were just as Her speech was preceded by within the communities we serve.” urged that the posts should be hard on their families and friends, presentations outlining different This was underlined by members elected, rather than appointed, in some might say even harder as, aspects of the ongoing process: of the diocesan Youth Forum. Their the interests of democracy. when we are not involved in a • Canon Michael Rowlands plea was simple: listen to us if you There was also a new confer- conflict, the expectation of the loss described his experience of want to make Church more friendly ence feature – Question Time. In of a loved one in uniform is not I am asking, once again, if anyone reality on the ground in Dewis- and appealing to young people. all, seven questions were received present in service family lives. can hear the call that God is giving land (North Pembrokeshire); In the afternoon business and five answered in the confer- What does this have to do them to serve on our Diocesan Lay • Transition Missioner Revd session, the Chairman of the Board ence hall. All answers will be made with the Lay Development Team Development Team? Marianne Osborne updated of Finance, Nick Griffin, revealed a available on the diocesan website. I hear you ask? Well, for what- We urgently need people to join conference on her team’s work ever reasons there may have been, us as we support the transition to in helping parishes plan the my friends and I in the RAF were LMAs and develop new training best way forward for them; called to serve and we answered opportunities, enabling everyone • Diocesan Secretary Howard that call. I believe that, for me, it to realise that following Jesus is Llewellyn explained how the was a call from God to prepare me not just a Sunday commitment diocesan office can help with for things yet to come in my life, but a 24/7 way of living, follow- training and advice on finance; and that is my experience of His ing the teachings of Christ and • Canon Patrick Thomas offered call. If we answer God’s call in listening to the still small voice of a lighter, feline perspective, whatever way we hear it then He God’s Holy Spirit in our hearts and courtesy of Cosmo the cat, will give us what we need to grow minds, the voices of our friends facing life in a Larger Mous- in that call and follow in His way. and neighbours and even through ing Area If we choose not to answer, then He the columns of Pobl Dewi! The EVANGELISM: The confer- will still give us opportunities to call to serve in this way may not be ence was introduced to the new grow in our chosen path and, when as public as a call to arms but it is Archdeacon for New Christian the time is right, offer us another there and your Church needs you! Communities, Ven Mones Farah, chance to listen and follow more If you would like to join the team, who outlined his vision for stimu- closely His voice in our lives. please contact me on 07768 390060 lating growth, particularly among Since I believe that to be true [email protected] 6 Pobl Dewi, December 2018 Youth work in St Davids Diocese: Providing a lifeline Sue Fletcher provides an overview of Plant Dewi’s funding ‘Yesterday, Today and Forever’ sources, including the invaluable support received from members The Youth Forum was asked to give a presentation at this year’s Diocesan Conference. of our churches There was no prescribed theme but the headings for discussion were largely taken from E would like to say a very Diocesan Board of Finance for our their work at the conference last year. Clare Williams summarises the presentation Wbig thank you to all of Plant yearly diocesan grant, which forms Dewi’s supporters throughout the a basis on which to build. Without HE title, Yesterday, Today and we feel involved, too early, belong- • Engagement with secondary diocese, whose donations enable this, the rest of the work could not TForever, aimed to encapsulate ing, we feel welcomed. schools us to continue to support children, happen. The projects are funded the importance of youth work as • More pastoral support for young people and families. Many from a mixture of grant-making a gospel imperative no matter the What we value about church young people of our families feel let down in life bodies and our own fundrais- context, finances or other changes • When activities for young We ask the diocese to give us the with little trust and hope and our ing. Last year our fundraising in facing the Church. people are provided opportunity to: projects serve as a lifeline, offer- the form of support group events, The Youth Forum prepared • When leaders give us their time Represent: we want to repre- ing them a safe place to go where house collection boxes, Chris- during the morning session and and support sent other young people by serving they can find love and support. tingle services, parish donations, confidently delivered the presen- • Feeling part of the church and on LMA Councils. Invite us to The sustainability of the service is standing orders, gift aid, lega- tation before the Bishop’s address. meeting new people speak at the Diocesan Conference crucial as we cannot let our fami- cies, in memoriam donations and After explaining the role of the • Opportunities to further our again next year lies down. charity shop profit raised approxi- Youth Forum, and highlighting relationship with God Be creative: consider holding We pride ourselves that our mately £49,000 in total. We hope to some of the activities which have • Being able to take part in a modern, contemporary service overheads are extremely low and increase this amount to allow us to taken place, they talked more about services we could attend and support. Our that the money raised goes directly support the families we are unable their experiences and hopes. We hope the diocese will develop proposal is for a monthly service to supporting families. However, to reach at the moment. Our recent What it’s like being a young • The Church’s relevance to which moves around the diocese. this means that we invest very Wish You Well Appeal raised in person in church: “Our perspective young people Decision making little on promotion and marketing excess of £1,300. of what church is like: community, • The type of music and worship Be involved: allow us to be and rely heavily on people in our Please help us to make 2019 repetitive, sometimes people aren’t on offer churches to spread the word. a sucessful year in reaching those talking directly to us, alone, dry, • A wider focus on youth work involved in decision-making at local and diocesan level. We want Our funding sources are families most in need. to be the face of young people in complex. We are thankful to the the diocese and across Wales and to lead the way. Have more! We need paid youth workers in each LMA as well as more activities and more of a focus on youth work in every area.” It is clear that these young people have a vision for youth work. At a time when the future provision of Children and Youth ministry in the diocese is unclear, it is my hope that these voices will be heard and that further investment is made in this vital area of mission when my contract ends in January.

far, the amount of money raised School celebrates by donations placed in buckets is Money by the bucketful around £1,300, but more is coming in. We think some 20 churches 150th anniversary in style OW, what a service!” – Wish You Well appeal with a service were involved but imagine if all “Wsays Chris Lewis Jenkins, in the cathedral. We were joined 300 churches in our diocese got Diocesan Social Responsibility by Samba-Doc Samba Drum band involved. It was a great start and Officer. (pictured), from Pembroke Dock, we hope that others will now come Saturday 15th September saw whose playing certainly woke the on board as we’re extending the the culmination of the Plant Dewi cathedral up – it was jumping. So campaign to the coming year. Many thanks to all who were involved, especially Bishop Joanna for her support, Dean Sarah and staff at the cathedral and Samba- Doc who performed for us free of charge

At Pentip VA Primary School, Llanelli, we dressed as Victorians just like those who were first welcomed here in 1868. We also attended a special service at St Elli Parish Church which was attended by the staff, pupils, governors and past staff members. Children have learnt a lot about the history of the school and during the service they gave accounts of what life was like for children of their age throughout the years Pentip has served Llanelli. We are very proud of this achievement and a display has been created in the main foyer which includes some important artefacts from our school’s history Pobl Dewi, December 2018 7 Church: How to a-choir new families How do you get children to come to church? What about charging them £5 to come in? That’s what we do in Aberystwyth – and they come, says Mark Ansell ARLIER this year Holy Trin- service on 9th December. They We were fortunate at Holy E ity Church looked to solve will sing their own pieces, join Trinity to have the backing of the the dual problem of a shrinking the adult choir and help to lead the celebrated musician and composer, church choir and a lack of families congregation. The hope is that the Andrew Cusworth, to launch the engaged with church. Our choir church will be full of proud parents choir and lead us through the early mistress came up with the idea of and grandparents who will come to months. Andrew has subsequently a children’s choir. hear them sing, and hear the good left Aberystwyth for the Bodleian So now, every Friday after news in an advent message of a Library in Oxford, so the choir is school, up to a dozen children come promised Messiah. now led by music teacher David to the church for singing lessons We hope to arrange other Cooper. His particular skills have Rehearsing with Andrew Cusworth and accompanist Dan Smith with a professional music teacher. special services, with a medium led to the children not just improv- They learn to sing church anthems term goal of having monthly ing their voices, but also in learning along with hymns, songs and tradi- services featuring the children’s to play hand bells. tional Welsh pieces. Within a few choir. In the long term, we hope to Our choir lessons are open to weeks of being launched, we even unite both choirs, still keeping the children from all backgrounds, and had a visit from Stacey Dooley and Friday night children’s specials. if you know any children interested her team of CBBC reporters and At the moment, our choir is bring them along to Holy Trinity featured on Show me what you’re junior school age but it is hoped to Church, Aberystwyth, on Fridays made of in November. expand this naturally to secondary at 4pm. This group will be slowly inte- school age by retaining singers as For more details contact me on grated into Sunday worship, and they transfer to secondary school, 01970 617849 or email the children will be taking part for while keeping a new intake of [email protected] the first time in a special Advent seven-year-olds each year.

lots of other troubles, but we are all A lifeline trying to muddle along. I have been on the estate for 30 years and the community centre for a community used to have a shop, a chippy and a launderette, and after that it was a nursery group. But seven in trouble years ago, there was a fire in the A resident of the Mount Estate, , talks to Clare upstairs flat and the centre was Williams about the positive impact made by the Church since the completely gutted. It stood empty Mount Community Centre re-opened at the beginning of 2018 for seven years and was a complete waste of a building. Then Fr Harri Teaching the stars of the show to sing in Welsh UR estate was a community your neighbours; the whole feel (Williams) looked into opening it O years ago. We used to have of the community changed, there up and negotiated with the council trips and activities then all that died wasn’t the same chance to get to rent it. Fr Harri managed to get it down. As people moved off the together. There are drug and drink open and set up the Friends of the include: Plant Dewi young parents I enjoy going to the groups, other- estate and new people moved in, problems here with fights some- Mount Trustees. on Mondays and a family group wise I would rarely see anybody. and with so many people coming times breaking out, some of us The centre was opened in Janu- on Wednesdays; Knit and Natter New projects are starting all the and going, you didn’t get to know have got into debt and there are ary and weekly groups that meet on Tuesdays; bingo on Thursdays; time, such as the Soup and Sand- a youth group on Monday nights; wich Lunch Club, which we really the parents play team and plenty hope will bring people in and help of other seasonal activities. These stop feelings isolation. But we have encouraged people to come also want to get things going on together. There has been a lot of the estate. Once we had an empty anxiety and depression on the estate building and now it’s come to life and some people struggle to leave again, so I hope this will show their houses. The opportunity for people that things are possible and just ten minutes to join others for that we can make a difference in a cup of tea gets me out of the flat our community. and gives me somebody to talk to.

Am ragor o erthyglau, nad oedd hi’n bosib eu cynnwys yn y rhifyn hwn, ynghyd â chyfieithiad o rai ohonynt, ewch i dudalen PD Extra ar ein gwefan: www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk/life/pobldewi/pdextra/

Cyfraniadau ar gyfer Pobl Dewi Y mae croeso i erthyglau oddi wrth ddarllenwyr, ac yn arbennig cyfraniadau Cymraeg. Dylid anfon erthyglau at y Golygydd: Tessa Briggs [email protected] 8 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

However, using the ‘Listening, Time flies when Exciting times! Observing, Acting’ (MULOA) process, we now realise that we As this Mother’s Union triennial comes to an end, Glenys Payne, already support many diocesan and you’re having fun outgoing Diocesan President, looks forward to the future local projects, such as ‘Away From It All’ holidays and breaks for As Lynn Rees approaches the end of his contract as Provincial IRSTLY, at a global level we those in need; items for the Plant Safeguarding Support Officer in December 2018 he looks back Fhave a new World Wide Pres- Dewi ‘Baby Bundle Appeal’; knit- on the past three years and forwards to the future ident – Sheran Harper, who is the ted supplies for seafarers; toiletries first person from outside the British HE past three years have for women’s refuges; teddies for Isles to hold the position. Sheran, certainly flown by, and whilst the Ambulance Service to give to T from Guyana, part of the Angli- fun is not an adjective you would children; ‘Cross in your pocket’ can Church in the Province of the associate with safeguarding, I have for hospital patients and Christmas West Indies, will represent and thoroughly enjoyed the role and it boxes for those in need. lead the 142 year-old movement’s has been a privilege and pleasure We also reach out to those who four million members in 84 coun- to assist parishes from across the are in spiritual need by organising tries from January next year, when diocese. I am also very grateful for retreats, quiet days, and worship she takes over from Lynne Tembey, the help and support given to me. for special occasions, such as Lady who steps down in December. A lot has happened in this time. Day and Mary Sumner Day. Many In our own Diocese of St The new Church in Wales Safe- branches also distribute Bibles Davids we have a new President, guarding Policy was published and/or candles at weddings and Heather Witt, who will represent Glenys Payne online, with a revised and updated baptisms. Members also help in and lead over 900 members in 65 version due out shortly. The Disclo- Branches from January next year. church activities, including Messy sure and Barring Service (DBS) There will also be a new Board of Church, Sunday school, children’s Policy has also been updated and Trustees, which will be managed clubs and school activities. the eligibility criteria clarified differently. There will still be a Yes, on reflection it’s surprising through two flowchart diagrams Vice-President and General Trus- what we already do!! But we may published online, with a dedi- structure in the St Padarns Insti- tees from each Archdeaconry but need help! cated DBS administrator appointed tute coordinating the delivery of meetings will rotate around the If anyone is interested in help- in the Representative Body in training. diocese giving more members the ing us from time to time that would Cardiff. Safeguarding is being inte- Although the Safeguarding opportunity to attend. be wonderful. There’s no commit- grated into the development of new Support Officer role is coming to Although we contribute greatly ment, just as and when needed, LMAs, and a single Ministry Area an end the Provincial Safeguarding to worldwide Mothers’ Union unless you would like to join the Safeguarding Coordinator will be Officers, Faye Howe (Monmouth, (MU) projects many members MU, of course, when you would be appointed in each LMA to provide Llandaff and Swansea & Brecon) Photo: Mother’s Union feel that we need to reach out to most welcome. advice. and Wendy Lemon (St Davids, Sheran Harper more people in our own diocese. Delivering ‘Safe Church’ Bangor and St Asaph), together training has been a priority for with the Head of Safeguarding me, with 36 courses held across Elaine Cloke, will continue to the diocese and over 500 people manage safeguarding casework Inauguration Service having completed the training. All and provide advice and guidance. clergy in the province have also As for me, I will continue to completed this essential train- serve as a curate in the diocese at St Martin’s, ing. Going forward, Safe Church and look forward to seeing where training will continue to be a prior- God’s call will take me. ity with a new provincial training Warm and cosy

Members of the Ministry Team of Bro Sancler LMA, with Bishop Joanna, Archdeacon Dorrien, Revd Marianne Osborne and the Diocesan Registrar, Anthony Jenkins, following the Inauguration Service at St Martin’s Church, Laugharne, on 23 October 2018

During some of this autumn’s horrid weather, many people have Newyddion da i Gymry Cymraeg yr Esgobaeth. chosen to spend warm and cosy Monday and Friday afternoons Y mae gwefan Esgobaeth Tyddewi nawr ar gael yn y Gymraeg. in Library, reading some of the Rare Books in the eclectic collection – as well as meeting other bookophiles. Gobeithio y gwnewch ei ddarllen a’i fwynhau. Let us know your interests on [email protected] https://tyddewi.eglwysyngnghymru.org.uk and join us Pobl Dewi, December 2018 9

Ni fydd rhaglen wedi’i gosod esgobaeth Tyddewi. Os nad ydych a bydd neb yn arwain, ond yn chi wedi’i ail-ddarganfod bydd eu tro bydd y cantorion yn dod nifer o wasanaethau yn cael eu ymlaen i ganu mawl. Mae’r cynnal mewn eglwys a chapel yn carolau traddodiadol yn olrhain ardal esgobaeth Tyddewi yr Adfent Growing Hope holl hanes iachawdwriaeth o a’r Nadolig hwn. Mae’n werth ardd Eden i’r Jerwsalem newydd. ymuno ag un o’r cynulleidfaoedd Rhoddir lle dyladwy i enedigaeth hyn i fod yn rhan o addoliad obaith eithrin G M Hope Crist, ond heb ganolbwyntio’n gwahanol iawn i’r arfer. Growing llwyr arno, oherwydd fe gofi r Ceir rhestr o wasanaethau am aberth drud y groes, am Plygain yn ardal esgobaeth Adfer hen draddodiad y doethion. Wedyn bydd yr fuddugoliaeth yr atgyfodiad a Tyddewi yr Adfent a’r Nadolig off eiriad yn cyhoeddi fod y disgwylir hefyd ei ailddyfodiad. hwn ar y wefan https://tyddewi. We’ve got used to telling one another that everything in the church plygain ‘yn agored’, a dyna’r Ar y cyfan traddodiad wedi’i eglwysyngnghymru.org.uk is so bad that we’re unable to see any signs of life anymore, even amser i unawdwyr a grwpiau o ail-ddarganfod yw’r plygain yn when they are there. As Advent and Christmas approach we have bob maint yn eu tro ganu carolau an opportunity to talk about one of these signs, the recent revival traddodiadol yn ddigyfeiliant. of the plygain tradition in church and chapel, writes Lyn Dafi s Wedi i bawb ganu eu carol gyntaf, bydd ail gylch yn dechrau, OEDD y traddodiad heb Goroesodd yr arfer chwyldro a’r holl gyfranwyr yn canu carol Ddifl annu’n llwyr. Roedd y Diwygiad Protestannaidd arall yn yr un drefn. Dim ond yn para mewn ambell i eglwys, ond wedi’i drawsnewid. Mewn unwaith y mae’n iawn i ganu carol ac mewn un llecyn o’r wlad llawer achos troes yn wasanaeth benodol mewn unrhyw wasanaeth. yn arbennig, sef gogledd- hwyrol yn canolbwyntio ar Ar y diwedd yn deg bydd y dynion ddwyrain Sir Drefaldwyn. Ystyr addoli Duw trwy ganu carolau. yn ymuno i ganu ‘Carol y swper’. plygain yw addoliad wrth i’r Bydd y gwasanaethau heddiw Gwasanaeth addoli yw’r plygain ceiliog ganu, gyda’r arfer yn yn dechrau gydag elfennau o’r felly nid yw cymeradwyo yn mynd yn ôl i’r canol oesoedd Hwyrol Weddi a chyda chanu arferol nac yn dderbyniol chwaith. pan fyddai cynulleidfa yn dod emyn cynulleidfaol. Y llith Mae mynychu gwasanaeth ynghyd yn eglwys y plwyf fydd hanes y bugeiliaid a’r plygain am y tro cyntaf yn brofi ad yn oriau mân y bore ar gyfer angylion o Efengyl S. Luc, neu dieithr. Am awr neu ddwy bydd off eren gyntaf dydd Nadolig. ym mis Ionawr hanes ymweliad y cyfan yn nwylo’r carolwyr. © Dinas Mawddwy Advent Experience Resourcing rural churches Advent Experience is a resource for parishes and LMAs to work Germinate: Arthur Rank Centre is a national ecumenical Christian with their local schools to re-tell the wonderful story of Christmas charity. The charity supports and encourages local churches in from the Christian viewpoint of Advent: watching and waiting. their mission, using what is learnt to help national policy makers Clare Williams explains understand the challenges and joys of rural life. Claire Maxim HE Experience divides the in English and Welsh, as well as invites readers to get in touch Christmas story into six titled, support from our team to run the T E off er several kinds of visual stations. The children make a Experience. resources, some free, some journey round the fi rst fi ve stations It works best if: W paid for, some designed to be in small groups, taking part in a • You have a reasonably large used by groups of churches, some craft activity to support their learn- church building in which you for individual churches to work ing. The fi nal station, The Gift, is can set up 6 visual stations through. All of them can be found for the whole group. • You have a school within walk- through our website, which is an eye out for Accessible Welcome explained this, and also suggested Our training event on 3rd ing distance of the church germinate.net – except Country (coming very soon), which high- some Harvest prayers for those November allowed interested • You have a team of around fi ve Way, which is our magazine. Coun- lights how important it is for spaces times when the harvest is not as people to see the Experience set up volunteers who are willing to try Way contains inspiring, practical to be easy for all to use. good as we might hope. and have a walk-through training set up and lead the experience ideas, which will help shape local People involved in rural At Germinate: Arthur Rank session. There was an opportunity • You can provide the following projects and initiatives. If you’d like churches tend to be busy. We off er Centre, we fi rmly believe that to ask questions and share expe- resources: large nativity fi gures a sample copy, please contact us. a range of liturgical resources church is a shared enterprise riences. We off ered to lend the of Mary and Joseph, a donkey, Church buildings are important though our website. Just search between lay and ordained people. physical resources, including packs a manger, plenty of cushions/ to their communities, often as the by keyword, and ideas for prayers, Our Germinate Leadership course kneelers for children to sit only available public space. They sermons, activities, service struc- is open to anyone involved in on (we provide all the other hold community histories, and tell tures and collective workshops rural church leadership – as minis- resources you need) stories just by their location, layout are all available. We also publish ter, steward, warden, treasurer, However, if you are struggling and contents. Open Welcome is specifi c briefi ngs from time to worship leader – anyone interested with one of these it shouldn’t be a designed to help make the most time. For example, 2018 has been a in developing their own creative, barrier. The Experience has been of our buildings, both in connect- diffi cult year for farmers, contend- entrepreneurial, leadership capa- run in a school hall, for a very ing with the local community, and ing with a long winter, late spring bility and applying those skills to small group of children (therefore welcoming passing visitors. Keep and then drought. Our briefi ng church situations. needing fewer volunteers), with If you’d like to know more pared down visual stations and can about us, or tell us what you have be adapted in a variety of ways. been up to, please get in touch, Here are thoughts from some of worthwhile learning experience Experience is well within the capa- either through our website at those who came along to the train- about the importance of the birth bility of most people. Materials germinate.net, by telephone on ing session and who are planning of Jesus.” and equipment are easy to obtain 02476 853060, to run the Experience this year: “We believe that this expe- and there’s huge scope for adapting or by email “Seldom before has there been rience would be inspirational the content.” offi [email protected] such a need to encourage mission in focusing on the true mean- The resource pack can be We would love to fi nd out about and evangelism in our schools. ing of Christmas for children. downloaded from the Children/ your experiences and share them to Advent Experience is one exam- The information provided during Youth & Safeguarding pages of encourage others. ple of an event which, without the two-hour session was clear, the diocesan website. Just click on too much hard work, will enable imaginative and adaptable. It was ‘Visit our resources library’. children and teachers to have a evident that delivering The Advent 10 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

ute shade, cover, wind protection, whole. Green Christian helps food, and gentle climate.” members to understand and relate Trees and other vegetation these responsibilities to their faith, Focus on play an important part in combat- who can then encourage others in ting climate change by absorbing their local church to think seriously

around a quarter of the CO2 humans about these matters. The char- are releasing into the atmosphere. ity, which campaigns on a range Getting involved By protecting and restoring forests, of issues, was formed in 1981 the world would achieve 18% of and supports Christians from all the emissions mitigation needed backgrounds and traditions. by 2030 to avoid runaway climate Visit their website at fi ttingness of the trees growing on change. www.greenchristian.org.uk We need trees road verges and in human parks We are responsible for our for more information and ways you and gardens. Together they contrib- impact on God’s creation as a can get involved. 45 years after the world fi rst recognised the devastating impact of the destruction of the rainforests, climate change is again headline news. Carol Nixon, a member of the charity and campaigning organisation Green Christian, makes a plea for the protection and restoration of our forests and woodlands

O you remember the seven- to palm oil production. In the UK Dties slogan: ‘Plant a tree in the Woodland Trust is celebrat- ’73, and plant one more in ’74’? ing the news that our oldest woods We were just waking up to the have won much tougher protection devastating destruction of the rain- from the bulldozers. But warm- forests and the loss of trees in our ing temperatures are also fuelling own country. Rainforests are home huge fi res in forests in higher lati- to an amazing number of animals, tudes, such as in the hills around plants and insects, from the oran- Manchester and in Sweden this gutan to passion fl owers and small summer. wasps called fairy fl ies. Ed Echlin wrote in a recent arti- Today, there is good and bad cle in The Universe, “As Christians, news. Deforestation has been we have a special responsibility to massively reduced in the Amazon, lead our planet to mutual friend- but that hasn’t happened else- ship and symbiosis. We have where. Large tracts of tropical special responsibilities because we forests, which hold vast amounts of are tree people. People and trees carbon, are still being lost in central go together (Gen 1.11; 2.9). I am Africa and Indonesia, largely due always struck by the beauty and

A helping hand The new food bank in Llandysul is an ecumenical venture which off ers a lifeline for those in need, says Gareth Reid N 20 May 2018, the Day of research and prayer, we decided OPentecost, Llandysul food to form an independent food bank, bank was offi cially launched. The rather than link with Trussell Trust, word ‘offi cial’ is important here as as this suited us best. We have still one had existed using the dining had help from Trussell Trust and the room of the Vicarage for a number food banks who work with them. of years. This unoffi cial food bank After almost 6 months we have worked through the local churches helped many people and fami- and chapels and Flying Start. This lies in need, and while the warm limited who we were able to reach, weather over the summer will have and it wasn’t until the formation of helped many people (less money ‘Golau’ that this changed. spent on heating, for example) we Golau (Light in English) is a are expecting an increase when group of Christians, which, since its Universal Credit arrives at the end formation in 2017, has represented of the year in many Welsh counties. numerous Christian denominations We are blessed with a venue in Llandysul. From this group the (Seion Chapel Vestry in Llandy- offi cial food bank was set up. The sul), volunteers to man the food members of Golau researched the bank (Mondays, Wednesdays and local need by talking to various Fridays, 9-12) and we continue to agencies who work with vulner- work with the agencies involved able people and those who may to reach those in need. We would benefi t, and it seemed sensible and encourage anyone to consider how valuable to establish the food bank. they could help with their local food We ensured we learned as much as bank – donations of food (but please possible before we launched, and check what is needed – often food gained a huge amount of support banks can have enough baked beans from other food banks – Aber- and pasta to last for a few decades!), ystwyth, Lampeter, Cardigan and money, or time. We can all off er – and this helped us hit something which can make other the ground running, or increased people’s lives a bit easier. the chance at least. After much Pobl Dewi, December 2018 11 Rural isolation and loneliness News from the towers Now we are in the depths of winter, the daylight is short, the evenings draw in quickly, A new bell ringing recruit, Neil, came forward after reading the and everyone searches for warmth and comfort. But is there anyone to talk to, share article about the St Davids Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers stories with or just listen to what one has to say? Eileen Davies, Diocesan Adviser on in the June 2018 edition of Pobl Dewi and is learning to ring at St Rural Matters, reminds us to be good neighbours Mary’s, Pembroke. It’s a great time to learn, with new ringers at IVING in a remote cottage many of the towers in our diocese, says Anne Bunker in a pretty, rural village was L ARBARA, our education Tower open events this summer perfect when one moved there on officer, ran an excellent, well- at St David’s Cathedral, in Pembroke retirement, with its stunning views B attended rounds practice (a repeated and Carmarthen sparked lots of inter- and the peace it afforded. All is sequence of bells descending from est. The Guild would like to thank well until one loses one’s partner: the highest to the lowest note) at retiring tower captains John Pryth- the chair is empty and the family St Peter’s Carmarthen in Septem- erch (St Mary’s ) and lives far away. Where does one go ber. Learners from Llandovery, John Davies (St David’s Cathedral) for company, is there anything in Llansteffan, Pembroke, Haverford- for their service to their towers and the local village? More often than west, Llandysul, Llanbadarn Fawr churches. We welcome Stephen not the old meeting places have and Carmarthen joined the group McGrath and Peter Haywood as the closed; the main bus route has (pictured). new tower captains. changed, and now you have to use BwcaBus, which drops by once a week. Doctor’s appointments and shopping need to be organised according to the bus timetable. The community has changed; the parents of many young families are out at work all day; if farm- health and for some deep shame is the great task. However, just call- ing, one partner works the land, the associated with being lonely, as if it ing on someone who lives on their other finds much needed finances were a failure. own and checking how they are from other employment; children In many rural areas all that provides an opportunity to talk and are taken to school, which provide remains open is the parish church: share. Yes, one needs to have the breakfast and evening clubs, on the for some, meeting for worship on time to do this and we all live busy way to and from work. a Sunday will be their only means lives, but as Christians Jesus calls It is not just the older generation of having a conversation until they us to follow His example – we have who suffer from loneliness. Young meet again the following week. a responsibility to extend a hand of people who live in rural areas can The church is more than this: it is Christian friendship and a listening feel cut off – they may not have the a Christian community which can ear. It’s good to talk. money, parental help nor the trans- reach outside its walls by extending Mae unigrwydd yn llethol, port to meet school friends and care and love, enabling friend- cofiwch siarad. Visit our website for information about peers. Loneliness and rural isola- ships and meeting people where where and when ringing takes place tion are markers of poorer mental they are. Finding lonely people is https://sites.google.com/site/stdavidsguild/home New Volunteer Co-ordinator for Tir Dewi You only have to ask Anne May has recently been appointed Volunteer Co-ordinator for Tir Dewi, the diocesan farming continued from page 1 support network, and invites readers to get involved with the charity’s work us through our website if you hesitate to contact us. RIGINALLY from New mal networking opportunities will would like support and materials to Finally, and very importantly, OQuay, Ceredigion, Anne’s also give the volunteers a chance to help with collection. If you would if you don’t have a food bank near father’s family is from Pembroke- get to know each other better and to like someone to come and talk to you, please contact us through our shire where she spent many happy feel part of a team. your church, or a group of which website and we will look for ways childhood holidays. Anne moved Our first training event will you are a member, please don’t to support you. to Pembrokeshire 20 years ago and focus on Tir Dewi case studies lives with her family in Melinau, where we will be discussing poten- . tial scenarios that volunteers may Anne has spent the past seven come across on farm visits. Our years working for Volunteer- more experienced volunteers and ing Matters, a national charity. trustees will, hopefully, be able to She has delivered volunteer-led the Girl Guides Association, the provide our less experienced volun- befriending projects whose focus Prince’s Trust and the Forest teers with an insight into the types has been to reduce loneliness and School’s Programme. of situations they have dealt with isolation in Carmarthenshire and Anne will be working three to date and are likely to encounter Pembrokeshire. Prior to this, Anne days a week, covering Pembro- in the future. Following this event, was employed by Pembrokeshire keshire, Carmarthenshire & we hope to offer those volunteers County Council as a school-based Ceredigion. Her new role will who are keen to get involved in Youth Worker. The highlight of her focus on ensuring that volunteers future farm visits an opportunity career to date was working for the have received the relevant safe- to shadow our more experienced Dyfed Wildlife Trust on their Grey guarding checks and appropriate volunteers out in the field. Seal Census, when she was privi- training. She will also offer ongo- If you would like more infor- leged to have had the opportunity ing support and organise regular mation about volunteering with Tir to live on for two training for volunteers to keep Dewi, please contact Anne consecutive seasons from August abreast of any updates relevant to [email protected] until December. their roles. Providing regular infor- tel: 07483 418673. She has volunteered for a range of organisations over the Read more about the work of Tir Dewi at years including the National Trust, https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/tirdewi/ Narberth team 12 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

Forthcoming Events at Tŷ’r Pererin

FOLLOW THE STAR Wednesday 26th December Nativity treasure hunt for all the family. Travel around the cathedral to retell the Christmas story. Angels, shepherds and wise men are hidden in secret places. Read the map and follow the stars to fi nd your way. Once you have all the clues you can light your own Christmas peace candle and visit the crib. Collect a reminder of the story for your own Christmas tree WHAT’S ON AT MESSY CHURCH Fridays 25th January, 22nd February ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL . . . and 22nd March, 3.45-4.45pm Sunday 9th December 4pm Choral Vespers with A Ceremony of Carols Bible stories, art, games, fun & food for families with 0-11 by Benjamin Britten year olds. Led by the cathedral & the churches in Greater Friday 14th December 6pm Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (Aidan and Non campuses) Carol Service & Nativity FIND THE LITTLE THINGS Saturday 15th December 7.30pm Dyfed Choir Concert, Handel’s Messiah

Tuesday 26th February and Friday 1st March, Tuesday 18th December 2pm & 7.30pm available 1pm-4pm Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (Dewi campus) Carol Service Fun for all the family in and around the cathedral. Pick up Friday 21st December 5pm Children’s Crib Service a leafl et and begin a traditional treasure hunt. Those of you feeling more adventurous can try the geocache route. Pick Saturday 22nd December 7pm Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols up the GPS co-ordinates from the cathedral and use a GPS (doors open 5.45pm) device or a smartphone with GPS app to locate the hidden Sunday 23rd December 10.30am caches. Once you have collected all the ‘little things’ St Scratch Nativity David’s Shrine will reveal its story 4pm Christmas Lily Service (dedication of lilies in memory of loved ones) RETREAT DAY Monday 24th December Christmas Eve Thursday 28th February, 10am-4pm 4pm Carols around the crib Joy, Faith and the little things: 11pm First Eucharist of Christmas, Procession & Blessing The threefold way of St David of Crib A quiet day led by Canon Dr Patrick Thomas. Contact us Tuesday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY to make a booking. We invite a donation of £5 for each day 10.30am which includes drinks. Lunch may be taken in the refectory or Bilingual Christmas Choral Eucharist bring a packed lunch Sunday 30th December 10.30am Eucharist with Carols Contact Janet Ingram for more information 4pm Evening Prayer with carols Tel: 01437 729151 Tuesday 1st January NEW YEAR’S DAY John S. Davies Singers New Year’s Day Concert [email protected] 2.15pm www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk Sunday 13rd January 6pm The Epiphany Procession with Carols Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter Friday 18rd January 7.30pm Welsh National Opera Orchestra Concert Sunday 3rd February 6pm The Candlemas Vesper & Procession

For further information about the above services and events No punches pulled please contact the Deanery Offi ce on 01437 720202 A milestone book setting out the neglected state of St Davids or email [email protected] Cathedral in the late 19th century is now available again. Mari See our website www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk James, Cathedral Library Development Offi cer, explains Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter N 1856 and E. A. I Freeman published revela- tions about what they called ‘the presented in this book of restor- facsimile of this milestone book. In They do not pull their punches neglected Cathedral’ of St Davids. ing the cathedral, including some the Foreword to this 1998 Edition, when they think earlier work on the Entitled The History and Antiqui- damage going back to the Refor- the then Dean of St Davids, Very cathedral was not up to scratch. ties of St David’s they set out the mation. Co-author Basil Jones Revd J. , calls the book The 1998 facsimile sold well sorry state to which the cathedral went on to become the Bishop of St “this great achievement of Victo- and was thought to be out of print. building had come at that time, Davids for 23 years between 1874 rian scholarship” and says “It is However, as part of a current three with much of the eastern end open and 1897 and oversaw much of the a book to which anyone who has year development programme, the to the elements and the tower and restoration work. subsequently worked on the history Cathedral Library, working with west end of the building apparently The St Davids Cathedral Library and architecture of the cathedral Pembrokeshire County Archives, in imminent danger of collapse. still has original copies of the 1856 owes a deep and lasting debt.” has put the 1998 book back into The book was originally published edition in its collection of Rare The book has nearly two dozen circulation. Copies are available in four parts and was funded by Books, which can be seen when fascinating prints and plans of the from subscription. The subscribers, listed the library is open to the public on Cathedral dated 1856, before much [email protected] in the back of the book, include the Photo: Courtesy of Christopher Limbert Monday and Friday afternoons. of the restoration we see today. proceeds from the sale will go name ‘Scott, G. Gilbert, Esq., 20 In 1998, Pembrokeshire County Jones and Freeman write in a lively, towards the maintenance of the Spring Gardens, London.’ This was architect, George Gilbert Scott, Council Cultural Services took the accessible and, to our modern way Cathedral Library, the only one still the renowned church restoration who was to take up the challenge imaginative step of producing a of thinking, campaigning style. in situ in Wales. Pobl Dewi, December 2018 13

Gweddi a chofi o ym Mhenrhyn-coch

On 11th November bell ringers of the St David’s Diocesan Guild of Bell Ringers joined the Battle’s Over commemorations. Bells were rung half muffl ed in the morning for services and ceremonies and the muffl es were taken off for joyful ringing at 7:05pm after beacons were lit across the land. Guild Master Anne Bunker reports from a moving event To mark 100 years since the end of the First World War INGERS made a huge eff ort pupils from Ysgol Gymunedol Penrhyn-coch visited R on the day, putting muffl es on, St John’s Church to remember and give thanks for taking muffl es off and ringing bells those from the local community who lost their lives in at diff erent times and in diff erent wars and to pray for peace in today’s world places. We had the best turn out of ringers on one day that we can OEDD Sul y Cofi o eleni yn dynion ifainc o’r ardal, neu â remember. In Pembroke, our band Rwahanol i’r arfer gan ei fod chysylltiad gyda’r ardal, a fu farw included Phillip Rogers, who learnt yn syrthio union gan mlynedd ers yn y rhyfel. Gosodwyd y cardiau to ring in 1943, and Andy Bailie diwedd y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf pan hyn ar feddau yn lleol ond hefyd who has only been ringing a few gafodd gwrthdaro rhyngwladol ar feddau yn y mynwentydd ar months. bell ringers eff aith drom ar gymunedau lleol feysydd Ffl andrys a gogledd appeared on the BBC Wales even- yn sgil y colledion erchyll a Ffrainc gyda chymorth Mrs ing news. brofwyd. Fel teyrnged i’r rhai Lynwen Jenkins, Garej Tŷ-mawr, a gollodd eu bywydau codwyd Penrhyn-coch a’r teulu. Excellent turnout cofebion a neuaddau coff a mewn Ddydd Mercher, 7 Tachwedd, The Tower Captain at St David’s trefi a phentrefi . Yng nghymuned croesawyd y disgyblion a’u Cathedral, Peter Hayward, said Trefeurig a phentref Penrhyn- hathrawes, Mrs Lynwen “We had an excellent turn out and coch, ger Aberystwyth, ceir Evans, i Eglwys S. Ioan gan y all ten of the cathedral bells were cofeb drawiadol iawn ar sgwâr Parchg Lyn Dafi s. Wedi adrodd rung by the local band”. New y pentref a chofl ech ar wal enwau’r milwyr a fu’n brwydro recruit Neil Bennett who joined the of ringers who died until this year through to the fi nal Battle of the Eglwys S. Ioan i gofi o’r dynion ac a gollwyd yn y ddau ryfel guild after reading about bell ring- when we were able to add William Ancre, where William was killed ifainc a fu’n gwasanaethu yn y byd darllenwyd gweddïau a ing in Pobl Dewi rang the single Perkins to the Bell Ringers’ Roll of on the 13 November 1916. He has lluoedd ac yn arbennig y rhai ysgrifennwyd gan y disgyblion bell at his home church of St James Honour. no known grave, and is commem- a laddwyd ar feysydd y gad. yn sôn am ddiolch ac am gofi o’r in Reynalton. There are pictures William was born in 1893, the orated on the Thiepval Memorial, Bu disgyblion hŷn Ysgol milwyr, ond hefyd yn gofyn i and videos of the guild’s ringers son of John and Martha Perkins, of France. Gymunedol Penrhyn-coch yn rhan Dduw am heddwch ac i roi diwedd participating in the event on our The Green, Pembroke, where John For many of our ringers it was o’r cofi o eleni. Yn yr wythnos ar y brwydro sy’n dal i ddigwydd Facebook pages including bands at was a Tower Captain at St Mary’s. their fi rst experience of ringing yn arwain at Sul y Cofi o bu’r o gwmpas y byd. Wedyn cafwyd Llanelli, Carmarthen, Llansteff an William lived at Maesteg until he with the bells half muffl ed and the disgyblion yn canolbwyntio cyfl e i weld y gofl ech enwau and Laugharne. enlisted at Bridgend and joined the sombre sound made this important ar ddiolch. Cofnodwyd diolch a’r reredos coff a i un o’r rhai a Ringing Remembers was 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusi- day even more moving. We will am y rhai oedd yn fodlon gollwyd sydd yn yr eglwys. launched in 2017 to recruit 1,400 liers. They fought at the outset remember them. aberthu cymaint dros eraill wrth Ar ôl ymweld â’r Eglwys a new ringers in memory of each of the Somme Off ensive, right ysgrifennu llythyron o ddiolch, gadael arddangosfa fechan ar of the ringers who were known to creu cerddi Saesneg, a llunio gyfer Sul y Blodau gosododd have died in World War One. The gweddïau yn y dosbarth. y disgyblion un o’r cardiau total of new learners is now over For information on ringing please contact Fel rhan o’r cofi o a’r diolch coff a ar fedd yn y fynwent 2,600, well exceeding the target! [email protected] lluniwyd cardiau coff a a’u gosod cyn mynd yn eu blaenau at y In our guild there were no records wrth gerrig beddau amryw o’r gofeb ar sgwâr y p entref.

been fully restored, enabling each Memorial Chapel dedication cross to be hung appropriately, together with the Altar of Remem- A service of re-dedication to mark the centenary of the end of brance and a standard of the Royal WW1 is a fi tting tribute, writes Harri Williams British Legion. The entrance to the chapel is OLLOWING the First World Canon Howells then decided to now graced with glass doors, given FWar, Canon Edmund Howells convert what was then a vestry into in memory of a former parish- (Vicar of Milford Haven 1894- the Memorial Chapel, which would ioner, and has become a multi-use 1944) arranged that crosses, which hold these crosses, and this was space as, with the installation of a originally marked the graves of done in July 1924. speaker, it is now possible to also service personnel from Milford Upon my arrival in Milford run a crèche during Mass and those Haven who died serving their Haven, the Memorial Chapel needing to be in the chapel will still country, should be returned to their was in a perilous state with water be able to participate in the service. home parish of St Katharine and St entering the chapel in numerous The Memorial Chapel was Peter. These crosses came from as locations and several of the crosses re-dedicated on Friday 9th Novem- far afi eld as Belgium, France, and were lying on the fl oor. With the ber by the Very Revd Jonathan Baghdad. PCC, we set about undertaking a Lean, former Dean of St Davids. Twenty-three of these crosses restoration project, fi rst address- This collection of crosses amounts remained in the church, as some ing the outside issues and then this to one of the largest in Wales and families either wanted them to year refurbishing the interior. The the refurbishment of the chapel remain permanently there, or total cost of the project has been has provided a fi tting tribute to the didn’t wish to take them home. around £45,000. The chapel has sacrifi ces made 100 years ago. 14 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

dydd cyfle eto i orffen y diwrnod Lampeter Great War Profiad Canon gyda gwasanaeth yr Hwyrol Weddi ar Gân dan arweiniad Côr Eileen Davies reflects upon her time in Residence as a Canon at yr Eglwys Gadeiriol. Rhoddir Roll of Honour St David’s Cathedral, a time of inward reflection, to evaluate her heddwch i gorff lluddedig, a own spiritual and prayer life, to retreat and seek inner strength, thawelwch meddwl, yn barod so as to be enabled to fulfil God’s calling and work i wynebu diwrnod arall. Braint hefyd yw cael cyfarfod N o freintiau bod yn Ganon gyda’r llu o amrywiol ymwelwyr Uyn Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi o bob rhan o’r byd sy’n dod i’r yw’r cyfle i breswylio yno dros Eglwys Gadeiriol wrth bererindota gyfnod a bod yn rhan o wasanaeth yn ôl traed Dewi Sant. Bydd rhai bob dydd yr Eglwys Gadeiriol. Er yn chwilio am heddwch mewnol bod person wrth wneud yn gorfod eu hunain, eraill am olrhain hanes, gadael teulu, plwyfolion, a gwaith eraill am gynhaliaeth ffydd. beunyddiol ar ei ôl. Ond dywed Fel Canon hefyd, mae’n dda Efengyl Marc “Meddai Iesu, Yn cysylltu’r Eglwys Gadeiriol gyda’r wir rwy’n dweud wrthych, nid plwyf, ac estyn gwahoddiad oes neb a adawodd dŷ neu frodyr i’r plwyfolion i ymweld, neu chwiorydd neu fam neu ymuno mewn gwasanaeth, a dad neu blant neu diroedd er fy chael cynhaliaeth ysbrydol a mwyn i ac er mwyn yr Efengyl, chymdeithasol fel pererinion. Mae na chaiff dderbyn ganwaith gloch am wasanaeth y Foreol troedio llwybrau’r arfordir yn cymaint yn awr yr amser hwn.” Weddi a Chymun Bendigaid. Pa rhoi gofal corff ac enaid i mi, ac I mi, dyma fy encil flynyddol, ffordd well i gychwyn y dydd, ond fel pererinion y canrifoedd, bydd cyfle i edrych ar fy mywyd drwy fod mewn gweddi a Chymun cyfle i weddïo ar Dduw Dewi yma. HE Roll of Honour was found restored through the skill of profes- ysbrydol fy hunan, gan wybod nad gyda’n Harglwydd? Yna ar derfyn Tin a cupboard in a very dilap- sional paper conservator, Kate oes yna amser ar hyd y flwyddyn idated condition. As a way of Newton from Aberystwyth. Church i wneud archwiliad ysbrydol, marking the centenary of the end member John Hammond worked na chwaith i edrych yn fewnol of the First World War, the PCC hard to ensure that the work was ar fy mywyd yn weddigar. Fel of St Peter’s, Lampeter, with St completed in time for the Armistice pob offeiriad plwyf rydym yn Mary’s, Maestir, decided to have it Day Service. cadw i fynd, bwrw ymlaen â’r restored. Professionally produced repli- gorchwylion beunyddiol, heb After considerable fund-rais- cas will be held permanently in ystyried ein heffeithiolrwydd. Pam ing, the roll, in two sections, which St Peter’s Church and a suitable dweud hyn? Wel, os na fedrwn gives the names not only of the resting place will be found for the gymryd amser i edrych ar yr hyn fallen but of all those who served originals. sydd yn sail i’n hoffeiriadaeth, and returned, has been completely ni fedrwn ddod ag eraill yn nes at gariad ein Harglwydd; mi fydd ein geiriau yn wag, heb ystyr a heb ddyfnder. Mae’r ddisgyblaeth sydd yng nghlwm gyda gwasanaethau’r Eglwys Gadeiriol hefyd yn rhoi patrwm i fywyd gweddi bob dydd, gan gyfarfod bob bore am 8 o’r

St John’s Pembroke Dock To commemorate the sacrifices made by townspeople during World War 1, this glowing array of poppies adorning the railings of St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock, was instigated by Maureen Colgan and knitted and crocheted by Cyfraniadau ar gyfer volunteers Pobl Dewi Y mae croeso i erthyglau oddi wrth ddarllen- wyr, ac yn arbennig cyfraniadau Cymraeg. Follow Pobl Dewi on Dylid anfon erthyglau at y Golygydd: Tessa Briggs www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk [email protected] neu fe ellir postio ffotograffau ynghyd â 50 o eiriau at: Pobl Dewi, Swyddfa’r Esgobaeth, Abergwili, Caerfyrddin, SA31 2JG wedi’u nodi at sylw ‘Y Golygydd’ www.facebook.com/pobldewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi Pobl Dewi, December 2018 15 A church to treasure A harvest dedication Dr Alec Hamilton completed his DPhil at Oxford in 2017 on The On Sunday 23rd September, members of St John’s Church, Arts & Crafts in church building in Britain 1884-1918, following Pontyberem, were pleased to welcome the Venerable Dorrien research trips to 450 churches across the UK. His report from Davies to lead, and preach at, their Harvest Eucharist, during his visit to All Saints’ Church, Ammanford, has encouraged the which a new stained glass window was dedicated in memory of Project Team, as Desna Pemberton reports the late Eileen Jones, former Reader of the diocese serving in the Gwendraeth Fawr group of parishes RTS & Crafts was an influen- 2. The woodwork is refined, Atial architectural movement restrained, elegant, especially HE Archdeacon paid trib- in church, as well as her life as a of the late 19th century, which the chancel desks and choir Tute to Eileen for all her hard labourer in the Lord’s harvest as a attempted to re-establish the skills stalls. work in the parish and thanked her diocesan Reader. of craftsmanship threatened by 3. The eagle lectern is rough- daughters, Jo and Zelda, for their The words of Jesus, taken from mass production and industrialisa- hewn and vivid. generosity in arranging the design Matthew 9: 37-38, “The harvest is tion. Dr Hamilton’s research is to 4. The hanging lamps have the and installation of the window in plentiful but the labourers are few, be published in his book Arts & look of a local blacksmith – accordance with their mother’s therefore pray earnestly to the Lord Crafts Churches, in 2020, and his another Arts & Crafts ideal. wishes. of the harvest to send out labour- investigations brought him to our 5. The fleurons in the stonework Deborah Lowe, who designed ers in to His harvest”, have been church in August. above the tower door, with their the window, attended the service incorporated within the design of Apparently, Arts & Crafts date 1915. Self-consciously with her husband and former the window. made little impact on the church medieval, but modern with it. colleagues from Swansea. The After the service, the family architecture of Wales. However, All Saints faintly echoes the window depicts a harvest theme shared memories of Eileen with there are a number of outstanding spirit of Arts & Crafts: un-cluttered, reflecting Eileen’s life in farming members of the congregation while works, mostly by English archi- direct, honest, with a touch of pret- and her love of harvest time, espe- tea was served by members of the tects for wealthy individuals or tiness, an unaffected simplicity. cially arranging the harvest flowers Mothers’ Union. the Church in Wales. Pevsner, the To quote Dr Hamilton’s final Architectural Guide, suggested paragraph: “Having said all that, that he should visit All Saints: ‘late what a triumph that All Saints Gothic with free Edwardian detail survives. How wonderful that . . . a little Art Nouveau sweetness.’ a church of such artistic and The Old Pilgrim Way Dr Hamilton’s first impres- aesthetic quality was saved from sion was that All Saints is ‘solid, closure by the heroic efforts of worthy, interesting, but a little the All Saints Project Team. If only predictable, and not especially Arts more communities took to heart Hen Ffordd y Pererinion & Crafts, though there are tenden- the physical value and emotional When he joined Cardigan Civic Society, John Powell was invited cies, e.g. the tower manages to be importance of their churches. All to research a project. Holy Cross Church, Mwnt, and St Mary’s massive and squat.’ Saints is not just a church – and Church, Cardigan, proved the starting points for an exciting Inside, the story was different: who cares if the congregation is river and so a church was built discovery 1. The angel head on the corbel small! It is a community space, a to house it. The final stage of this supporting the chancel arch concert hall (with fine acoustics), THOUGHT I would produce the Knights Hospitaller of St John pilgrimage will lead to the Catholic immediately rang a bell – a symbol of the town, and a land- I a leaflet about Holy Cross and based at , Pembrokeshire. Church and today’s shrine. something similar, perhaps, to mark such as many a Welsh town St Mary’s Churches, to encour- The hospice was built for lepers If done prayerfully, the jour- a memorial plaque by Henry will one day wish it had retained.” age today’s growing practice of and the local sick and infirm, but ney from the peace of Holy Cross Wilson in ? pilgrimage. With the invaluable later largely used by pilgrims visit- and the beauty of St Mary’s to help of Canon Seamus Cunnane, a ing the Shrine of Our Lady of the this lovely church in Aberystwyth retired Priest of Cardigan’s Catho- Taper at St Mary’s Church. Road will surely be inspirational lic Church and a historian of note, According to legend, the statue and a source of healing. we delved into possible routes of Mary with the child Jesus on her This project was made possi- between the two churches – a small lap holding a candle to represent ble by funding from the Diocesan part of a much longer, 5th century the Light of the World, appeared LMA Initiative Scheme. Leaflets trail between Bardsey Island and St miraculously by the banks of the are in churches, tourist informa- Davids Cathedral. . When taken to the tion centres, hotels and other public Ordnance Survey maps parish church it returned to the places. show the north-south pilgrim- age route that Canon Cunnane An extended version of this article is at had suggested, so we decided to https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/life/pobldewi/pdextra/ investigate the area around New Mill. Nearby are the ruins of Capel Bach, an old Baptist Chapel, and Father Cunnane believes this could have been a slipper chapel, similar to that in Walsingham. It is an old mile from St Mary’s, the distance between resting places for pilgrims on their way to a shrine. We discovered a bridleway that led from here towards Mwnt. Like the pilgrims, we followed the trail beside the Mwldan River until we came to Theatre Mwldan; from here, another footpath led directly to Feidr Fair (Mary’s Lane). The route would probably have extended far beyond this point, possibly all the way to Capel Bach. The next point of interest is The Angel Hotel, the site of the 12th century hospice belonging to 16 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

With Pobl Dewi coming out quarterly, it is sometimes difficult to fall upon appropriate timing for an interfaith article. An item which may have warranted coverage has often been overtaken by events or, to the contrary, an important event may still lie in the unforeseen and unknown future. This edition’s timing, however, is entirely fortuitous, writes Derek Davies, Diocesan Interfaith Officer

E may occasionally be Egypt and leader of the opposition Winclined to believe that to the crusade; the Sultan being the interfaith dialogue is, at best, a nephew of the great Saladin the new, rather daring venture or, at opponent of Richard I of earlier worst, a negative reflection of the conflict. faith of those who advocate it, but We know that it is never wise most assuredly neither viewpoint to quote uncritically from websites. is historically accurate. Next year, Some, rather too confidently 2019, marks the 800th anniver- perhaps, supply considerable detail sary of a quite remarkable example with respect to the meeting. Some reading. For example, it is said present and next year, a film have the potential for stimulating of such dialogue in a distant and display a tendency to over-ascribe that St Francis was showered with portraying the historic meeting interfaith discussion and reflec- violently warring world; a dialogue the outcomes, which appear to gifts which he declined to accept has been produced entitled The tion and an ecumenical dimension conducted by two individuals with demonstrate St Francis’s Christian other than an ivory horn used by Sultan and the Saint. I have not yet also suggests itself. St Francis is, of both bearing impeccable but differ- contribution without an appropri- the muezzin to call the faithful to seen it, but may I suggest to read- course, remembered in our liturgi- ing faith credentials. In 1219, ate balance being brought to the prayer which he is said to have ers that they take note of it and the cal calendar during early October whilst the fifth crusade was being coverage. Nevertheless, with these used on his return to Italy for his contributions of a range of scholars – appropriate timing perhaps? pursued, St Francis of Assisi met provisos, readers may safely turn to own calls to prayer. which accompany it. As a choice with Malik al-Kamil, Sultan of several sites for some inspirational However, to return to the for a film evening it appears to

as Bishop’s Lynn until around From West Wales to Norfolk 1537). Pilgrims are comforta- The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham dates back to the 12th bly accommodated in the shrine’s Century, and is a pilgrimage site for Anglicans and Roman guesthouse and enjoy locally Catholics from around the world. On 17th September a group of produced food prepared in the more than 20 pilgrims set out from across West Wales to make kitchen of the refectory. Members the long journey by coach to Walsingham, known as England’s of the Parish of Walsingham are looking forward to the arrival of Nazareth. Mike Lewis found it an uplifting and inspiring experience Fr Harri Williams, who is leaving URING the week’s pilgrim- which were both interesting and Milford Haven to become their Dage, we participated in a stimulating. A group of pilgrims new Priest in Charge. number of services, including a from Sweden, and their priest Fr We had a spiritually rejuve- Service of Healing at the Holy Olav, joined us for Mass on our nating and uplifting week and are Well, The Laying on of Hands, penultimate day and, with elements already looking forward to next Holy Benediction and a Service of the service in Swedish, Greek, September’s pilgrimage. If you are of the Stations of the Cross in the Welsh and English, it was a truly interested in coming along please gardens of the shrine. Fr Jeffrey international experience. contact the Association Secretary, Gainer delivered a series of well- We also enjoyed visits to Wells- Mary Rees: researched lectures on the subject Next-The-Sea and the ancient town [email protected] of Mary and the Old Testament, of King’s Lynn (previously known Offeren Glyn Rhosyn Mae’n bleser cyhoeddi fod yna osodiad cynulleidfaol newydd o’r Cymun Bendigaid (2004) ar gael. Ysgrifennwyd gan y cyfansoddwr Cymreig, Meirion Wynn Jones ar gyfer Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi. Mae’r gosodiad unsain yma (gellir ei ganu yn Saesneg neu yn Gymraeg) wedi’i greu gyda gofynion cynulleidfaoedd plwyfol mewn golwg, ac felly gellir chwarae’r cyfeiliant ar yr organ, y piano, neu ar allweddell HERE is now available a new Leigh Richardson, Sub-Dean Tcongregational setting of the and Canon Residentiary at St Holy Eucharist (2004). Written by Davids Cathedral, says he is “very Welsh composer, Meirion Wynn excited at the prospect of a new Jones for St Davids Cathedral, this setting of the mass for congrega- unison setting (which can be sung tions to sing in both English and in English or Welsh) has the needs Welsh. There hasn’t been anything of parish congregations in mind, written for a good few years, and Something good happens when we Am fwy o fanylion, cysyllter and so the accompaniment can be to have something in a contempo- sing together, and to sing the mass ag/for more details, please email: played on the organ, the piano, or rary style by a celebrated Welsh together makes it a powerfully [email protected] on a keyboard. composer was too good to let lie! moving experience.” Pobl Dewi, December 2018 17 Synod addresses crucial issues In his latest article, Roger Dirokpa, Link Chairman for our Companion Diocese of Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reports from November’s Ordinary Synod of the Diocese of Bukavu UR 13th Ordinary Synod was received advice and training on: O held from 1 to 4 November 1. The electoral process and the 2018. It was attended by around use of the voting mechanism 80 members of the clergy and laity to prepare the members of the from different parishes and arch- Diocese of Bukavu for the next deaconries of the diocese, and was elections in the Democratic hosted by the Parish of Muhumba Republic of Congo (DRC) in Bukavu town. 2. The Ebola Virus disease The theme was “I am the currently occurring in the east- bread of the life” (John 6: 36) to ern part of DRC witness to our belief that Christ is 3. Mental health the source of all that is necessary During each working session, for us to live on this earth now and the members of the synod were ization of elections in the country gelization efforts in the different conries at Idjwi and Fizi and also forever. reminded about how each Congo- to facilitate good governance and archdeaconries, the 13th Ordinary speed up the preparations for a In addition to the speeches and lese, and Christian in particular, democracy in DRC. Synod agreed to change the status new diocese in the southern part of meditations on the biblical texts, could manage a disease-free life Given the growth of the church of some churches to parishes, the South Kivu province. the members of the synod also and contribute towards the organ- in quality and quantity, due to evan- creation of two other archdea-

Ar ôl seibiant am ginio USPG – Cymdeithas Unedig cawsom gyflwyniad addysgiadol gan Jane Watkeys a oedd tan yn Partneriaeth yn yr Efengyl ddiweddar yn ymddiriedolwr USPG. Siaradodd am ei Mae USPG yn cynorthwyo cenhadaeth eglwysi Anglicanaidd hymweliad â Burma/Myanmar ledled y byd i ddod â chyflawnder yr Efengyl i’r cymdeithasau a gan roi cipolwg i ni o’r sefyllfa wasanaethasant. Dyma adroddiad Dewi Roberts o gynhadledd bryderus yn y wlad. Heb os nac ranbarthol a gynhaliwyd yn Abergwili ar 4 Hydref oni bai y fyddin sy’n rheoli popeth yno. Ond er hyn, derbyniodd Jane RWEINIWYD y gynhadledd milwraidd y wlad yn damsang groeso cynnes gan ffyddloniaid A gan Rebecca Woollgar, yn ddidrugaredd ar boblogaeth yr eglwys Anglicanaidd yn Rheolwr Gwirfoddoli a frodorol y Lumadiaid gan Yangon a’r pentrefi cyfagos. Stiwardiaeth USPG. Ar ddechrau’r ddinistrio ei bywoliaeth; gan Yr oedd y bobl er yn dlawd gynhadledd derbyniodd pawb ddinistrio ysgolion, clinigau yn westeiwyr hael, yn barod i becynnau adnoddau cynhwysfawr iechyd, a ffermydd, a thargedu rannu’r ychydig oedd ganddynt. yn nodi prosiectau USPG a’r a threisio gwragedd a merched. Wrth gyfathrebu ag Archesgob modd y gall gwirfoddolwyr Mae USPG yn gweithio yn agos Myanmar darganfu’r gwirionedd gynorthwyo yn ymarferol i gyda’r eglwysi Anglicanaidd parthed rhyddid crefyddol. Ar y hybu egwyddorion a gwaith y yng nghymuned y Lumadiaid wyneb yr oedd rhyddid addoliad, Gymdeithas mewn partneriaeth ag i adfer er mwyn cyfiawnder ond yr oedd y llywodraeth filwrol niferoedd y ffyddloniaid i tua pam bod y rhaglen iechyd a eglwysi a chymdeithasau eraill. yr hyn sy’n eiddo iddynt. yn gwahardd ysgolion Cristnogol 100,000 erbyn y flwyddyn 2020. ddarperir gan yr eglwysi drwy Rhoddodd Rebecca gyflwyniad Gwelsom hefyd fideo myfyriol ac yr oedd hefyd rhwystrau teithio Eglurodd Jane, wrth deithio gymorth USPG mor hanfodol. pwerus yn dangos ing a phoen ei naws yn canolbwyntio ar amlwg. Y nifer o Anglicaniaid y tu allan i gyrion Yangon ac Yn olaf, hoffwn nodi bod cymuned frodorol y Lumadiaid yn argyfwng y Lumadiaid parthed dros y wlad i gyd yw tua 80,000. i ganol cefn gwlad bod tlodi’r gan USPG Gwrs Garawys y Philipinas, gan gynnwys fideo cloddio dinistriol ac yn cynnwys Ond roeddent yn ffyddiog y bobl yn fawr a gydag afiechydon arbennig ar gyfer 2019: ‘Llais a adawodd argraff ddofn arnaf fi. penawdau trawiadol yn Gymraeg byddent fel eglwysi Anglicanaidd megis ‘encephalitis’, ‘malaria’, Proffwydol yr Eglwys’. Mae’n amlwg bod pwerau a Saesneg ar waelod pob cyflun. yn medru trwy ras Duw gynyddu a ‘dengue’ yn gyffredin. Dyma Confirmation in Milford Haven

N Sunday, 11th November, O Bishop John Saxbee was The end of an era welcomed to the Parish of Milford Haven where he confirmed 13 T is tragic to report that Traid Amelia Gardner has some candidates, one of whom was also craft is closing down most coffee, tea and biscuits in stock, I baptised during the Mass. of its operation at the end of and can order what is still Speaking of the occasion, Fr December because of fall- available. Harri Williams, Vicar of Milford ing sales. For 40 years it has Tel: 01437 781592 Haven said: “Every Sunday we pioneered helping poor produc- [email protected] pray in Mass that we might grow ers to work their way out of As a Fairtrade church in a in faith and in number. This Confir- poverty by trade, not aid. Let Fairtrade diocese in the first mation is a testament to the power us pray that some other organi- Fairtrade province, may we of God at work in the life of these sation may come to the rescue honour our commitment to individuals and in the life of the of this important aspect of our serve only fairly traded refresh- Church in Milford Haven” Christian witness. ments at our church events. 18 Pobl Dewi, December 2018

minded the forming of the UAE, and his family are likely to retain Postcard from the UAE the presidency for the foreseeable future. Abu Dhabi has gravitas, John Holdsworth, Executive Archdeacon in Cyprus and The excellent museums, a great race Gulf, provides an overview of the United Arab Emirates and their track and very many Christian thriving Christian communities churches HAVE just returned from a resi we add the congregations from If the Queen of Sheba made her I dential selection conference in other churches that use our build- journey today from the Yemen to the Emirate of Ras Al Khaima, one ings that figure rises to around see the riches of King Solomon in of the seven Emirates of the United 80,000 or more. Our congregations Jerusalem, she probably wouldn’t Arab Emirates (UAE). The confer- contain many different nationali- get past Dubai. Dubai represents ence went well but three nights in ties. The welcome for the poor is as worldly success big time. Its high- a bunk bed in a monastery with warm as that for the rich. It is as if rise buildings, futuristic retail malls only a mattress and a blanket to aid the world has come together. with the latest in designer shops comfortable sleep, does leave one Each of the Emirates has its speak of luxury, excess and aspi- rather longing for the budget hotels own Ruler and its own personal- ration satisfied: of the rewards that St Luke’s, Ras Al Khaima, the most northerly Anglican Church around Dubai Airport, about which ity. They are small in area, large in wealth can bring. It might seem an in the UAE I shall never complain again. influence, because of their wealth odd place for churches to thrive. We have eight congregations and because of the power they have But they do. that it was here that the distinc- diversity. One well-travelled candi- in five of the Emirates, which, over the world’s main supply of At the selection conference tive boundary-crossing nature of date said that she had never been together with our ministry to the energy. Abu Dhabi Emirate holds we had some candidates who had Christianity, a characteristic of the in a place where she had felt so hostels that house the temporary the presidency of this seven-fold become Anglicans during their Anglican Church, became clear, in surrounded by Christians of every resident labourers, welcome over federation. It was the father of the time in the UAE. Asked what terms of its generous hospitable kind. “Not even the UK?” I asked. 2,000 worshippers each week. If present Ruler there who master- attracted them, many answered embrace of cultural and national She just smiled.

grandparents in Northern Uganda Mercy who asked him for help obtaining a wheelchair. After advice and both Keith Taylor reports on how a small church group, together with careful and prayerful thought, it great foster parents, are changing the life of one orphan child in was decided to seek help fitting her with prosthetic feet. East Africa Mercy has already spent several HE Cylch y Frenni Circle of side their own two children, Betty and weeks in hospital; little girls the TChurches Bible Study Group Keith, in Western Uganda. world over grow up and Mercy is has been financially supporting Kens Mercy’s feet were burnt off no exception and hospital check- Okot and Mary, his partner, who have when she was only 11 months old ups include seeing if her leg bones taken disabled nine-year-old Mercy in a domestic house fire. Kens are again trying to grow through into their home. Mercy lives along- found her living with her maternal her stumps. It is likely she will need more than her fair share of hospital check-ups, medical atten- tion and new prosthetic feet as she gets bigger. Mercy attends CoRSU Hospital near Entebbe which is Dal i ddiolch financially supported by the Chris- tian Blind Mission from here in the ar ôl 160 UK and is charity money very well spent. However CoRSU Hospi- tal still makes a charge like other blynedd Ugandan hospitals. Hospitals don’t feed their patients and there is also the cost of transport to and from home. To support our Hospital Fund for these three children, Llan-

Mercy in her school uniform Dydd Sul, 7 Hydref, daeth cynulleidfa ynghyd yn Eglwys Llangeler i’n Gwasanaeth o Ddiolchgarwch, dan arweiniad y Barchedig winio Focal Minister Judy Webb White, Red and Gold. They cost Beth Davies. Y pregethwr gwadd oedd y Canon Stuart Bell o is crocheting little bells, yes, they £1 each plus postage. So far, over Aberystwyth a fu’n ficer o 1974 tan 1980. really do ring. The colours are £300 has been raised. Gan ein bod yn dathlu 160 mlwyddiant yr adeilad presennol roedd te a lluniaeth yn dilyn y gwasanaeth. Ein haelod hynaf, sef You can follow Mercy and her family’s progress Mrs Valmai Owen, a gafodd yr anrhydedd o dorri’r gacen ben- on Mercy’s News Group Facebook page blwydd. https://www.facebook.com/groups/823292541183477 Cafwyd diwrnod i’w gofio a diolch i bawb a helpodd mewn unrhyw fodd i’w wneud yn ddigwyddiad llwyddiannus. Pobl Dewi, December 2018 19

Refl ection

HERE are those who think vates people to do things that they Tthat God is no more real than would not otherwise have done. Father Christmas, that belief in When Maximillian Kolbe a God amounts to nothing more than Polish Franciscan priest took the belief in a fairy story. place of another prisoner in the gas One way of showing that to chambers of Auschwitz, did he do think of God in the same way as A story it because of a fairy story? we think of Father Christmas is a The point is not that all sorts of mistake would be to refl ect on how non-religious people also do good we relate to them: we don’t pray things, it is that no-one chooses to Father Christmas; he is never a for our what is right and diffi cult, instead focus for our anger, frustration or of what is wrong and easy, because disdain. of a fairy story. Instead, let us consider the way times The story of Christmas still stories infl uence our lives. A fairy resonates today. It is about a family story, for example, only explains or bringing up a child who had not justifi es our behaviour. A religious Matthew Hill considers the way we react to stories been conceived by both parents, a story, for example, that makes family that fl ed as refugees. It is us want to change our behav- about poverty, economic injustice, iour, particularly for the better, is abuse of power and people who

diff erent. © Facebook think they know exactly what is One way of approaching the Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian mother who has recently been released after being in solitary going on but do not. stories in the Bible is to be suspi- confi nement since 2010 following a false blasphemy allegation This is not just our story as indi- cious of them, to begin with the viduals, but our story as humanity, belief that they can’t be true. If we in two. The diaspora of Latvian who had fl ed returned to help could it possibly be nothing more one that ultimately is worth going do this, we either dismiss them or refugees formed the Latvian Evan- the Latvian Lutheran Church. A than just a collection of stories?” to prison and dying for. There are we re-interpret them in the light gelical Lutheran Church Abroad; woman who was a member of that The easy reply to that is that places in the world today where of our beliefs. Another way of those stuck in Latvia stayed in persecuted church told a powerful religious fundamentalists do that people are making these sacrifi ces. approaching the Bible stories is to the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran story about the clash of cultures sort of thing all the time by blow- The challenge for us is to get contemplate them, going deeper Church and it was very hard for and beliefs that resulted. Those ing themselves up, intimidating beyond our fears about decline and and deeper. them. Church buildings were who returned had been infl uenced and persecuting others in the name falling numbers, and re-capture In 2016, I had the privilege confi scated and turned into gymna- by some western biblical schol- of religion. the sense of what it means for us of attending a theological confer- siums, concert halls and galleries. arship, saying that certain things But people also do all sorts of to have a story that ultimately is ence in Riga, Latvia. In its recent It was illegal, and an imprisonable in the Bible were nothing more nasty things without any religious worth going to prison and dying history Latvia has suff ered terri- off ence, to own or read a Bible. than just stories. But, as she said, justifi cation. for. bly, fi rst under Nazi occupation When the Soviet Union “When you had to risk your live- The thing that is harder to then under the Soviets. As a result, collapsed and Latvia regained lihood, liberty and possibly your dismiss is not when people betray the Latvian Lutheran Church split its independence in 1991, those life to own and read the Bible, how the story, but when the story moti-

In my view . . . A shared history Joel Barder says it is time to take a stand against anti- Semitism N 26th March, around they are real. That should shake us O1,500 people protested to the core. outside Parliament, because of Before we even think of the the treatment by some in posi- words of Jesus to love others as tions of power, and many of ourselves, we need to remember that their supporters, towards the He was Jewish, as were almost all the Jewish people. The then Secre- apostles, patriarchs, heroes, heroines tary of State for Communities and prophets in the Scriptures. We and Local Development, Sajid owe our faith to the Jewish people, Javid, wrote “It’s a sad day and yet so often the Church is, and when British Jews feel they has been in the past, silent about have to come to Westminster to anti-Semitism. This is a stain on us, make a stand against prejudices and we must speak out against Jew- they are facing here in 21st hatred; a quick glance at social media century Britain.” reveals it is truly back amongst us, if Much has happened since these it had ever disappeared. events. We have all heard the We are not, as the Church in arguments that this is politi- Wales (CiW), party political but we cal point-scoring, which denies must stand against hatred wherever to engage with public life, includ- stand against those who seek to we care for and love them, the reality of the situation: that we see it, even when we fi nd it in ing politics. The phrase ‘speaking demonise and abuse, whatever our accepting that we have a the Jewish people are afraid of the political party we identify with. truth to power’ was used frequently political inclination. Only then will shared heritage which binds us living in these lands. As a cleric Public life was a major discus- in the discussions. Well, here is an we begin to follow Jesus’ command together against all those that in the diocese with Jewish sion point at April’s Governing opportunity, to do just that, to show to love one another, and only then seek to harm us. heritage and identity, I am all Body meeting and the consensus that the days of the silence of the will the Jewish people see that, as too aware of these concerns; was that the CiW should do more Church are over, and that we will followers of the Jewish Messiah, 20 Pobl Dewi, December 2018 Book Reviews

ences of the primary carers of loved to a further understanding of Chris- ones with dementia, and the role of tian attitudes to nature. Theology and rural living the church in this situation. Stella As well as promoting theological Rural Theology: international, ecumenical and interdisciplinary Mills tackles the problem of lone- reflection and research into matters perspectives liness among older people and how of importance for rural church and different intervention may help. rural society, Rural Theology also HE Rural Theology Asso- provisions’. His statistics clearly Tony Neal summarised his carries reviews of recent books of ciation (RTA) believes that demonstrated that more people T recent research on the role of relevance both to those serving in theology matters, and encourages attended church when there was a retired clergy, drawing attention to rural ministry and to those worship- theological thinking on the future stable provision in the same church the benefits that may accrue from ping in rural churches. of rural churches and on matters each week. involving retired clergy in a formal Membership of the RTA is £15 of importance to rural living. The Tania ap Siôn illustrates how mentoring role of new incumbents. per year and includes two issues of RTA stimulates thought and reflec- a rural cathedral can work with James Francis drew on his work the journal annually, plus internet tion in these areas through its church schools in the diocese. Judith in biblical scholarship to explore access to all past issues back to the journal Rural Theology. Examples Muskett explores how the Christ- insights from scripture that inform first one in 2003. from recent issues include: mas Tree Festival drew people to contemporary concerns about To become a member of the Robert Barlow summarised a engage with a rural church. human impact on nature. He argues RTA go to four-year project examining the Albert Jewell drew together five that there is a need to recover a http://www.tandfonline.com/yrur comparative merits of two differ- papers on the theme of churches sense of the grandeur and mystery tionship to creation. This often ent ways of delivering worship in a and older people. In this collec- Revd Canon Jeremy Martineau of nature grounded in God’s rela- overlooked perspective contributes rural benefice. He calls these ‘trav- tion Jenny and Paul Rolph and elling congregations’ and ‘fixed colleagues document the experi- Darllen hanfodol am ymdriniaeth Morgan yw nad iaith neu arddull y gweithiau Getting caught up in the Theologica Cambrensis: hyn sy’n mynd â’i fryd ond eu Protestant religion and cynnwys. Wrth ddarllen cynnyrch theology in Wales, Volume y wasg, rhywbeth oedd mor theatre of it all 1: From ganolog i dwf Protestaniaeth The Voice Bible to revival 1588-1760 gynnar, mae’r awdur yn rhannu Pub: Thomas Nelson; 2012 Gan: D Densil Morgan cyfoeth ei wybodaeth a’i ISBN (hardback): Cyhoeddwyr: Gwasg Prifysgol ymchwil. Ond nid gwaith diflas 978-1-4185-4901-5 Cymru; 2018 yw hwn gan fod Morgan hefyd Price: £26.41 ISBN: 978-1-78683-237-5 yn ein cyflwyno hefyd i gyfres o Paperback and electronic Pris: Clawr papur, £24.99 unigolion arwyddocaol a hynod versions also available Does dim angen dweud bod – yn eu plith llawer o glerigwyr I discovered and bought a copy of ymddangosiad llyfr newydd a lleygwyr esgobaeth Tyddewi – The Voice Bible earlier this year, gan yr Athro D Densil Morgan, fel Griffith Jones Llanddowror, and it has literally changed my Llambed, yn achlysur o bwys. Daniel Rowland Llangeitho a understanding of the Holy Scrip- Dros y blynyddoedd mae wedi William Williams Pantycelyn. tures. As a priest and PhD student cyhoeddi astudiaethau Cymraeg Mae’n gyfrol sylweddol ac on the Gospel of John I have in my a Saesneg am amrywiol bynciau, yn bendant yn ddarllen hanfodol i possession many different trans- ond mae’n fwyaf adnabyddus am unrhyw un sydd am ddeall hanes lations of the Bible including the ei ysgrifennu ar ddiwinyddiaeth, deallusol Cymru yn ogystal â’i New Testament Greek version, and hanes Cristnogaeth a hanes yn cynnwys esgobaethau Cymru hanes crefyddol. Mewn erthygl as a rule of thumb for sermon writ- diwylliannol Cymru. Mae ei gyfrol ar y pryd) a’r naws Biwritanaidd fer fel hon nid yw’n bosib ond ing, preaching and quoting in my inal language as accurately as is newydd – y cyntaf o ddwy – oedd iddi drwy’r cyfnod, a hefyd tynnu sylw ati mewn gwirionedd. thesis I use the prescribed NRSV. possible but, at the same time, tries newydd ei chyhoeddi-, yn olrhain datblygiad uchel-eglwysyddiaeth Ond byddwn i’n dweud ei bod yn But, this translation, which is quin- to render it into something read- hanes crefydd a diwinyddiaeth dilyn adfer y frenhiniaeth yn gyfrol y bydd angen i eglwyswyr tessentially not scholarly, is the able and meaningful for today’s Brotestannaidd yng Nghymru. 1660. Yn ogystal â’r mudiad droi ati er mwyn ein helpu ni one that gives me those light bulb readers. In other words, this Mae cyfrol gyntaf Theologica Methodistaidd o fewn i Eglwys i ddeall ein hunain yn well ac moments, even when reading a Bible is a hybrid of the word-for- Cambrensis: Protestant religion Loegr mae hefyd yn troi ei sylw efallai er mwyn ateb y cwestiwn very familiar piece and therefore word and the thought-for-thought and theology in Wales yn at ddiwinyddiaeth Anghydffurfiol mawr sy’n dal i’n plagio: Pam bod I can’t recommend it enough. The approaches. astudio’r cyfnod o gyhoeddi a’r cyd-weithio yn ogystal â’r eglwys sydd mor debyg i Eglwys essence of the translation is that it However, it definitely does not Beibl William Morgan yn 1588 gwrthdaro a fu rhyngddynt. Loegr mewn cymaint o ffyrdd mor is written in a screenplay format, use trendy language like, for exam- hyd at ddechreuadau’r Diwygiad Adroddir yr hanes wrth ein wahanol iddi hefyd? Gall yr ail which is pretty revolutionary in ple, The Message. Its goal is to Efengylaidd yn 1760. Mae’n cyflwyno i ysgrifeniadau a gyfrol ddim dod yn ddigon buan. itself, but of course before we capture a kind of corporate beauty mynd i’r afael â datblygiad ystyrir erbyn hyn yn glasuron y Y Parchg Lyn Dafis condemn or distrust this approach which somehow allows individ- athrawiaeth Eglwys Loegr (oedd Gymraeg, Yr hyn sy’n wahanol we should bear in mind that these ual writers to connect and convey 66 books developed from an oral meaning to a twenty first century tradition and therefore this is not audience. The strapline used to as off-the-wall as you might first promote The Voice is ‘Step into Contributions to Pobl Dewi think. the Story of Scripture’ and with its We welcome articles of interest from readers and, in particular, we The Voice was first published screenplay approach it does that in in America in 2012 and 120 schol- spades, you take a seat in the stalls would like to encourage submission of articles in Welsh. ars were involved in its conception. of Scripture and can join in with Articles should be e-mailed to the Managing Editor: Tessa Briggs, Unusually, the team included not gasps, hisses and clapping! [email protected] only renowned biblical scholars The screenplay approach they Photographs of children must have parental permission for publication in print and on and ancient language experts but have used, although unique to this the internet. Please confirm this in writing to the editor when submitting photos. also poets, artists and musicians, Bible, is so very successful that it a combined effort that has kept will enable people to hear these The Voice so very fresh and vital important voices from the past and Disclaimer in its delivery. The translation is read their Bible for joy, for rele- Pobl Dewi and the take no responsibility, liability or share the views or actually called ‘a contextual equiv- vance and even for excitement. opinions of any articles contained herein. All information is the responsibility of the person or alence’ which recognises the need Revd Dr Caroline Jones organisation submitting the article. Pobl Dewi take no responsibility for any errors or omissions to convey the meaning of the orig-