www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk Tachwedd/November 2011 Challenge, change & opportunity: Is the church fit for purpose? “We’re here to listen.” And there was no shortage of bishop Barry’s call for the Church Those were the opening words answers. At least half those attend- to be more outward-looking as it from Lord Harries, former Bishop ing had something to say. And approaches its centenary in 2020. of Oxford, to the hundred-plus several common themes emerged Two main themes domi- people who attended the open as candidates for change: nated the debate: are the Church’s meeting held in Carmarthen on 8th • The Church must uphold the resources being used efficiently November for the diocese to tell its principles of Christianity, to further its mission? Does the leaders where the Church should be not just in the pulpit but also organisation of the Church enable going and how to secure its future. outside; it to address the nation effectively? Lord Harries and his Review • Churches should be focal Probably not was the verdict, Panel wanted answers to four points for the communities and definitely not when it comes questions: they serve, which means look- to the deployment of out two great- • What aspect of the Church/ ing at new ways of ordering est assets – people and buildings. diocese are you most positive them. They cannot only be Furthermore, the organisation about? places for worship on Sundays should be adapted to provide a • What changes would make if they are to remain relevant coherent, sustainable model for witness and ministry more and viable; age mission and spiritual ing attendances – especially among mission in the future. effective? • Obstacles to ministry must be leadership; younger people – and the falling Speaker after speaker asked for • What steps must be taken to removed so that everyone can • The freedom to worship in the income at all levels that goes with root and branch reform of the ordi- address the predicted shortfall use their skills for the common Welsh language is crucial to it. Something, all agreed, must be nation process, and particularly the of clergy? good; many rural congregations and done. way people are trained for ministry. • How should we ensure the • Administrative and organi- must be fostered. The review will also be Ordaining readers, for example, future financial viability of the sational structures must be The panel’s consultations informed by the findings of the would help ensure there continued Church? revised to revive and encour- come against a backdrop of fall- focus group meetings at the to be an ordained person in every Governing Body over the past parish; and why is it that all ordi- year, which considered what will nands have to attend St Michael’s be needed to meet the needs of the College? “We need shepherds,” Church and communities of Wales Speaking out for children in ten years’ time, and by Arch- continued on page 3 and young people Ironman Wales HE real-life stories of fami- Tlies struggling for a better life are vital ammunition in persuad- ing governments to fork out extra funding and support, according to the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler. Mr Towler was speaking – but mostly listening – during a visit to the Families Together support group in Llandybie, near Amman- ford, run by Plant Dewi. About 50 mums, dads and chil- dren were on hand to meet him and Mr Towler spent nearly two hours listening to their experiences. Peter Lewis wonders who benefits from this “It’s vital that people in power that’s available wisely,” he said. Swansea, was created in 2001 to event, see article page 11 understand what families really The post of Children’s stand up and speak out for children need so that we spend the funding Commissioner for Wales, based in and young people. Children’s & youth work: introducing Naomi Wood & Marianne Osborne – Page 5 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, November 2011 Organ donation, equal rights and the Church in Wales Review Paul Mackness reports from the September meeting of the Governing Body HE September meeting of the teers into conscripts . our bodies women on the GB had moved from TGoverning Body took place should not be State assets.” 27% in 2008 to 41% in 2011. There in Lampeter – the main theme this One of the guest speakers was appears to be a balance between session was Equal Opportunities. Ann Beynon, OBE, the Wales the genders at a parish officer The Presidential Address, Commissioner for Equality and level. The GB has passed an Equal given by the Archbishop of Wales, Human Rights. She gave a very Opportunities Policy, and this area Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan, was informative talk about her role and is now part of some CMD (Contin- content-packed, some of which that of the Commission, and high- uing Ministerial Development) proved to be controversial. Unfor- lighted areas in which the Church programmes as well as part of tunately much of the Archbishop’s and the Commission can work training for ordinands. The report speech was taken out of context together to improve the lives of the was warmly received, however the by the media, and his concerns people of Wales. Archbishop, when asked, indicated about the moral and ethical consid- Dr Gill Todd presented the that there were plans to re-examine erations as a result of the Welsh report of the Working Group on the the area of women in the episco- Government’s proposed “presumed Representation of Women which, pate. That discussion would take consent” with regards to organ in 2008, was tasked to report on place at GB leading to legislation donation were overlooked. the implementation of the Repre- being brought forward for a vote to “Organ donation surely ought sentation of Women in the Church make it possible for women to be Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales to be a matter of gift, not duty,” Bill. It was noted that a number of come bishops. said the Archbishop, “If one takes senior clerical post holders were In line with the Equality needs receiving either support or each diocese for consultation and organs without consent on the now women and the proportion of Agenda, a motion was brought discrimination by churches. all are encouraged to submit obser- assumption that, by not opting out, forth in the form of a Report on The Archbishop also reported vations and make comments. (See a person is tacitly assenting, then Ministry and People with Disa- on the Church in Wales Review led page 1 for a report on the St Davids this is no longer a free gift, an act of bilities and Additional Needs. It by Lord Harries, the former Bishop meeting.) love and generosity. Giving organs was noted that this was work in of Oxford. “To examine the struc- Further details, and a more is the most generous act of self progress and sought to look at the ture and organisation of the Church detailed report, are included in giving imaginable but it has to be a way the Church approaches this in Wales with a view to increasing Highlights which is available in choice that is freely embraced, not whole area. Members of the GB the effectiveness of its ministry and parishes and on the Church in something that the State assumes. heard a number of stories of people its witness to the people of Wales.” Wales Website. Put it more crudely it turns volun- with disabilities and additional The Review team will be visiting Bread, wine and community Songs, Psalms & Spirituals Links between churches and the communities in which they serve come in all shapes A new photo-copiable collection called ‘Songs, Psalms & and sizes, and sometimes they are difficult to forge. Catherine Hammond records a Spirituals’ has just been published by the Royal School of successful event for all ages in Fishguard Church Music (RSCM) T St Mary’s we were offered a and Goodwick Round Table, to of bread, wine and community HE collection of over 50 acces- Areadymade link when we were celebrate and promote the food and under the title A Taste of Autumn. Tsible pieces has been assembled invited to be part of the new festi- culture of the area. Ideas for the event were sifted with ordinary choirs in mind, val – Fishguard’s Autumn Festival We decided the size and shape against our aims of supporting the including those with limitations on – instigated this year by Fishguard of the link when we chose the theme community event as a whole and the numbers of available voices. It saying something thought-provok- draws on music spanning thousands ing about life and Christianity. of years from the Psalms of David to It was also a good opportu- spirituals moulded out of the slave nity to encourage people into the trade era and contemporary songs. church building and to inform them Some psalm compositions are for of what else we did. congregation and choir, includ- During the event in our church, ing Psalm 23 and a lively setting wine and much bread were tasted, a of Psalm 150 by John Barnard, wheatsheaf loaf was made, vegeta- himself a highly-regarded hymn- bles were juiced and apples pressed. tune composer. The trail led people past information ‘Songs, Psalms & Spirituals’ is about the local farming community available from RSCM Music Direct. in the 18th and 19th centuries with Further details: 0845 021 7726 an opportunity for children to glean [email protected] www.rscm.com/shop against the clock (speedily collect- ing wheat grains) and into the choir stalls, where a video loop about were very happy to stop, chat, taste Bro Gwaun who did all the juicing the Last Supper ran and stories and enjoy.