www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi Medi/September 2013 Women Bishops: The answer is YES!

The Church in Wales has voted decisively to enable women to become bishops

HE vote came after a but needed two-thirds majorities in Revd Canon Sarah Geach – a beyond where the original bill inal plan to make this a two-stage seven-hour debate at the both the House of Clergy and of senior female cleric in the diocese intended. An amendment, success- transition. TSeptember meeting of the Laity. – said: “This [vote] has made the fully put by the Archdeacon of Now, instead of waiting for Governing Body and paves the The voting was: Clergy 37-10 Church whole and truly inclusive. Llandaff, Ven Peggy Jackson, a second bill making provision way for the ordination of women to (78%) in favour; Laity 57-14 As an ordained woman, I really and Revd Canon Jenny Wigley, for those unable to accept women the episcopate in a year’s time. (80%) in favour. feel I can come home.” a leading proponent of women’s The Bill had unanimous Bishop Wyn welcomed the deci- The vote takes the Church ordination, did away with the orig- continued on page 17 support from the Bench of Bishops sion as “positive, a natural step.” Bishops dedicate memorials to West Wales energy workers “Pembrokeshire, reflect on your people; through them flows our nation’s energy” WO iconic sculptures paying their workforce and those who AM; Bishop Wyn’s dedication of Ttribute to workers in the have given their lives in its service. a stone bench overlooking the mill Pembrokeshire energy industry The ceremonies marked the second pond in Pembroke was also attended have been dedicated by Bishop anniversary of an accident at the by local AM Angela Burns. Wyn and the Archbishop of Wales, Chevron plant on Milford Haven in Bishop Wyn said: “Public art Dr Barry Morgan. which four employees died. such as this is an apt expression not The sculptures were donated The Archbishop was joined at only of the grief of a community but by the energy company Chevron the ceremony in Milford Haven by a poignant reminder of the signifi- Products UK Ltd to remember the First Minister, Carwyn Jones cance of industry in this area.”

Y Parch Gareth Reid yn cael ei drwyddedu fel ficer plwyf Llandysul gan yr Hybarch William Strange a’r Deon Bro, y Canon Dewi Roberts, yn eglwys Llandysul ar Fehefin 21ain. Pob hwyl iddo yntau a’i deulu yn y plwyf Hanes yn llawn ar dudalen 19 FOCUS ON UNIVERSITY LIFE – Pages 10 & 11 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, September 2013

to have any impact. only for 1½ hours a week out of outside the confi nes of church as an However, ‘being’ is as impor- 168! We need to make Christ visi- institution – in direct contact with Readers – a new vision tant as ‘saying’ and we must ble all week, not just on Sundays. those who are not yet church. Over 80 people from all over the Province attended this year’s beware of becoming obsessed with In his fi nal session, the Bishop A recent survey showed that Reader Conference, from 14-16 July, at Trinity St David’s Church and Ministry. These things presented a radical picture of 92% of male readers and 82% of University, Lampeter. are not as important as the King- reader ministry with a dual role female readers had psychologi- dom of God. – (1) being people who can bring cal profi les similar to those of the Jenny Kimber goes home with a lot to think about In the Eucharist we gather God into the conversation, wher- clergy. In other words, the Church together as the body of Christ – but ever that might be, and (2) working is still calling ‘clergy’ types to UR speaker was Rt Revd based study group or in the pub. Reader Ministry – instead of those ORobert Paterson, Bishop of We learnt that the closer the who are truly ‘lay’ in their outlook. Sodor and Man and the Chair of the Church is to what it proclaims, Only 1% of readers are under the Central Readers Council. He took and the less it is upset by trivia, the age of 40 and this will not change as his theme “The Glory of God in easier it will be to evangelise, espe- unless readers are truly ‘lay’ and the Face of Christ – a study of 2 cially to young people. When we are doing theology. Corinthians”. are who we ought to be, then others The Bishop’s vision of readers Using Paul’s teachings, he will want to know why we are like being less concerned about leading encouraged us to regard ourselves that. As preachers we need to be worship than with sharing what we as ‘lay theologians’ – bringing God like a stained glass window. We know of God and his love with our into the conversation, whether in must tell the story clearly, and with communities, sent us all home with formal preaching, in a church- light and colour, if our message is heads buzzing. What now?

openly, freely and joyously. and he highlighted, among many to be an important factor in church Signposts of hope Ven Bob Jackson gave useful other things, the church as a growth, and the churches that were insights from the mountain of ‘community’ rather than as an prepared to do new things had a This year’s Clergy Conference at Aberystwyth was on the theme statistics he had gathered and ‘attendance event’. Improving greater tendency to grow. “Leading your Churches into Growth.” Dewi Roberts is inspired compiled from St Davids Diocese, welcome and integration seemed From the statistics presented to us by Archdeacon Bob there were HE opening talks focused on reminded us that when Paul wrote clearly many encouraging areas, the Church as a Christ-centred concerning Christ, it was in order T and we were given a booklet, ‘Our community. Dr Paula Gooder gave to inform the Christian community Hopeful Stories’, containing sign- us an inspirational address on the how to live. As those “in Christ” posts of hope from around the fi rst part of Philippians 2. Her many our lives are to be shaped by the diocese, to share and distribute. insights into Paul’s thought gave life and mind of Christ. Here are two bullet points for us much to ponder. I enjoyed her The fi nal part of the conference us to ponder from the Archdeacon: remark on how she was inspired in was on the sub-theme “Church is • Most of the positive factors her translation of verse 6: “ . . . did an all-age community”. come under the heading of not regard being the same as God, Dr Gooder’s fi nal address was developing the Christ-centred as something to clutch”, by observ- on the opening verses of Zecha- community of the church. ing her daughter at the age of three riah 8, from which we learned the • When we improve the quality clutching in her arms all her most importance of creating spaces (safe, of who we are, our relationship precious toys to ensure that no one welcoming environments) within to God and what we do then the else could play with them. Jesus our communities/churches for the numbers tend to go up. did not clutch to power, rather he very young to the very old, so that As I refl ect on the 2013 poured himself out for us. She they are able to express themselves Dr Paula Gooder Clergy Conference I am inspired to develop further, in practice and reality, the truth of the church as a Christ-centred community, and Growing hope: with renewed focus to venture to do new things for Christ. 9 Tachwedd 2013 9.30-16.00 A day for all who want their church Cyfraniadau to fl ourish ar gyfer Pobl Dewi 9 November 2013 Y mae croeso i erthyglau University of Wales: Trinity Saint David Carmarthen oddi wrth ddarllenwyr, ac yn arbennig cyfraniadau “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans Cymraeg. for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29.11 Dylid anfon erthyglau at y Golygydd: Tessa Briggs Y now all clergy and Area Prompt booking, which [email protected] BDeans will have received includes all the above and lunch, neu fe ellir eu postio at: booking forms and full details is advised as places are limited. about this exciting, inaugural Please ensure you have your atten- Pobl Dewi, conference, which will be opened dance and workshops confi rmed by Bishop Wyn. before travelling, rather than just Swyddfa’r Esgobaeth, It is recommended that groups turning up on the day, as registra- Abergwili, of 5-10 parishioners from each tion will be taking place on arrival. Caerfyrddin benefi ce attend, who have a choice More information is available SA31 2JG Rhaid cadw lle: codir tâl of £30 ar gyfer pob bywoliaeth (hyd at 10 o bobl) of participating in a variety of from your cleric, Area Dean or Darperir lluniaeth a chinio workshops. Throughout the day, laydevelopmentteam@btinternet. wedi’u nodi at sylw ‘Y you will also be able to see displays com Cadwch y dyddiad! Manylion pellach i ddilyn. by a range of diocesan teams, and We look forward to seeing you Golygydd’ to chat to their representatives. there. Pobl Dewi, September 2013 3 Listening and hearing We have a new website . . . On 18th May, the Lay Ministry Development Group and the Acorn The St Davids Diocese website has undergone a major overhaul this summer. Christian Healing Foundation held a training day at St Mary’s Old Webmaster David Hammond-Williams invites you to log on, get surfing School House, Cardigan, attended by 24 delegates. The topic for . . . and give your feedback the day was The Importance of Listening, presented by Pat Ansell and Rosemary Carey of Acorn CHF. Nick Barrocu reports HE first thing you’ll notice (I You will also notice that parts date. Also, that the information you Thope!) is that the pages have of the text throughout the site are need is available in the first place. FTER a brief service of finding their own solution. This a much fresher feel about them; coloured blue. This indicates that Ours is no exception. But this Aworship, allowing us to encourages sharing but requires bright colours and clean lines. there is a link to further informa- depends heavily on people notify- become calm and ready to listen courage because of the personal Also, because we now manage the tion, to documents or even other ing any changes, anything missing to God, we had an overview of feelings involved. site in a different way, the pages websites related to the subject in or anything not working as soon as the relationship between listening, After lunch, we looked at how fill the screen rather than just the question. Just click on the blue possible. Once we’re told about it, reconciliation and healing. Good not to listen, because, by so doing, centre of it, making it easier – and text to go there. Email addresses we should be able to fix it within listening is multi-layered. we impose our own experiences, more pleasant – to read. are also configured this way. Click 24-48 hours. The first activity of the day attitudes or values, and create Site map on the name or text and it will Browse (should!) take you to your Email involved finding someone you filters which obscure our ability But content is king. And we’ve So, take a look, have a browse and provider. hadn’t met before and introducing to hear what is really being said. been working hard to try and make let us know what you think. Tell us yourself. Each pair then introduced Asking questions, or trying to be it easier to find the things you want Information what else you’d like to see there each other to a separate pair. An reassuring or critical, can result quickly and easily. The diagram is The website fulfils two prime func- and send us the information so that excellent icebreaker to start to the in deflective listening and can put what we call a site map. It shows tions. It is a window on to the we can add it in. And remember day. the speaker off what needs to be where everything is. The blocks diocese for those looking in. But it that a picture is worth a thousand We then discussed how you can said. On the other hand, empathy, coloured yellow have links to them is also a comprehensive source of words! So send those too, making feel when you’re not listened to – along with positive responses, will from the home (or front) page. information and resources for the sure that they’re of good quality rejected, frustrated, insulted and offer encouragement and allow the Some are on the menu bar at the diocese itself – that’s you; internet (the bigger the file size, the better). undervalued. However, when you speaker to gain insights into, and an top of the page, others appear in the and intranet rolled into one. It’s your website. So please use are listened to, you feel accepted, understanding of, their problems. left or right hand columns. As for It’s vital for any website that it and help us to make it the best cared for, valued, and appreci- With lively interactions and the rest, just follow the lines, which the information it contains is up to that it can be. ated, knowing that someone else is demonstrations, it was acknowl- are the pathways into the site. It is prepared to listen and help you. edged that the group quickly and www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk designed so that whatever you are Home The second exercise looked at effectively grasped a complex trying to access is no more than Page stdavidscomms@churchinwales. reflective listening. In pairs, each subject. We all agreed that there’s three mouse clicks away. org.uk delegate had to choose a subject, a lot more to it than just listening. Events News talk about it and then their part- The day finished with a beau- ner had to recount it without being tiful quote from Winnie the Pooh: subjective or offering a solu- ‘If the person you are talking to Church Bishop Press Cathedral Tourism Inform- Resources Life ation tion. This was to illustrate how doesn’t appear to be listening, be to achieve deeper understanding patient. It may simply be that he Mission Biography Press Ty'r Visitors Office Policies and appreciation of a given topic has a small piece of fluff in his ear.’ Releases Pererin and thereby assist the speaker in DCMM Profile Open Archdeac Ministry Churches onries Share

Communi Diary Saints & Boards/ Forms cations Stones Cttees

Lay Talks/ Hidden People Sharing/ Develop- Sermons Britain Links

Children Ad Cathedral Contact Inter- & Youth Clerum cessions

Plant Schools/ Clergy DAC Dewi Groups

World What's On Parishes Grants Mission (Events)

Church Resources Lay Fair Trade Schools Readers

Pobl Contacts Perm to Music Dewi Officiate

Current Worship Books & Edition Leaders DVDs

Archive Organis- Yearbook MP opens Llandre Fete ations

Ceredigion MP Mark Williams Ministry Diocesan Logos opened Llandre Church Conferenc Fete on the blisteringly hot Saturday afternoon of 13th Vocations Chaplains Strategy July. This most traditional of village events was very well- CMD Vacancies attended, raising in excess of £1,300. Attractions included Exploring Appoint- steam engines, local wood Faith ments carvings, a popular BBQ and many other stalls, some of DCSR which were inside the recently re-ordered St Michael’s Church FAQs 4 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 Appointments Ordinations

Revd Canon Sian Jones Revd Dafydd Jones Rector, Rectorial Benefi ce appointed Priest in Charge, of Llanelli, to serve also as United Parish of Llanddewi Acting Area Dean of Cydweli, Brefi & Llangeitho, 1 August 2013 11 July 2013

On 29th June at the Cathedral

Revd Stephen Edwards appointed Priest in Charge, Revd Sharon Swain Benefi ce of Llanilar w to serve as interim minister Rhostie & Llangwyryfon in the Parish of Manorbier w Llanfi hangel Lledrod & & St Florence, together with Llanwnnws, Redberth, for an initial period 9 September 2013 of six months, 1 July 2013

Fairtrade FAQs

The Church in Wales is seeking to become the fi rst province in the Anglican Communion to be a Fairtrade Province. But what IS fair trade, how do we get there and what difference will it make?

O achieve our goal, 70% of all Tour churches must use fairly traded products wherever appro- priate (meetings, events etc) and – equally important – they must On 30th July at All Saints, Llangorwen register the fact by signing a Fair- trade Pledge Form (available via the diocesan website). Many parishes already do this. But the fact that they do might not producers. It enables them to negotiated between the product coffee, fruit & vegetables, honey, be registered due to incomplete improve their position and have manufacturer and the retailer. juices, nuts and seeds, cooking records, changes in parish bounda- more control over their lives oils, rice, spices, sugar, tea and ries or simply because their status How many Fairtrade products wine. You don’t have to use has lapsed. So parishes need to How much of the price we are there in the UK? them all, but those you do use re-register by re-sending the form pay for Fairtrade products The Fairtrade Foundation has must carry the Fairtrade mark. to: What is Fairtrade? goes back to the producers? licensed over 3,000 Fairtrade For more information, visit Revd Carol Wardman, Fairtrade is about better prices, It varies from product to product products for sale through retail the Fairtrade Foundation’s Bishops’ Advisor for decent working conditions, local but is whatever has been agreed and catering outlets in the UK. website: www.fairtrade.org.uk Church and Society, sustainability and fair terms to be a fairer price with the These include bananas, cocoa, 39 Cathedral Road, of trade for farmers and work- producers, plus a social premium Cardiff CF11 9X ers in the developing world. to invest in the future of their But what exactly are you sign- By requiring companies to pay communities. The Fairtrade price Promote your forthcoming events ing up to? And why? What makes sustainable prices (which must applies at the point where the fair trade fair? What difference never fall lower than the market producer sells to the next person on the diocesan website does it make? And how can you price), Fairtrade addresses the in the supply chain (usually an Contact be sure it lives up to the claims it injustices of conventional trade, exporter or importer). It is not makes? Here are some answers to which traditionally discrimi- calculated as a proportion of [email protected] some basic questions: nates against the poorest, weakest the fi nal retail price, which is Pobl Dewi, September 2013 5 Confirmations Award for unstinting campaigner

EVD Dr John Gillibrand, RVicar of Llangeler, near Llandysul, is the first winner of the Autism Heroes Lifetime Achieve- ment Award at Holly’s Ball, an annual event raising money for autism charities. Over the past two decades John and his wife, Gill, who have a son with autism, have been staunch supporters and advocates for people with autism and their fami- lies. John has taken the cause to the Welsh Government, to Westmin- ster and to the Church where he has received support and encourage- On Sunday 7th July, Bishop Wyn confirmed eight candidates ment. He has frequently been seen from Year 6 of St Aidan’s VA School at St Mary Magdalene and heard talking about autism on Church, Wiston. The candidates were each presented with a TV and radio. certificate and a Bible, and seven of them are pictured with Mrs Speaking of his award, John Sarah James from the school, Bishop Wyn and Vicar of Wiston said ‘It is an honour to be recog- Revd Nicholas Cale nised by so many people here in Wales. There have been positive steps over the last two decades but far too many people with autism are still waiting for essen- tial support. It is important that we keep on talking about autism and ensure that people are aware of the challenges faced by people with autism. The right support at the right time can make an enor- mous difference to people’s lives.’

‘Enjoying Your Bible’ Carmarthen’s St Johns Church was the venue Revd Canon Sarah Geach was pleased to present six candidates chosen to host the latest Lay for confirmation at a service held at St Mary’s, Begelly, on 14th Development Team seminar July. It has been some time since the last confirmations took place ‘Enjoying Your Bible’ on 3rd in the parish, and it was Bishop Wyn’s first visit to Begelly since August, when Revd Peter his consecration. Left to right, back row: Kieran Griffiths, Ethun Lewis walked us through both Sutton; Front row: Revd Canon Sarah Geach, Sophie Barfoot, Old and New Testaments Hannah Palin, Bishop Wyn, Kathleen Phillips, Gemma Griffiths with humour, beautiful photography, iconography and art – Sharon Edge, Lay Development Team

FINAL COPY DATE for the December edition The Mothers’ Union is, for the fourth year running, meeting and of greeting new students at Freshers’ Fairs at the universities of Aberystwyth, Lampeter and Carmarthen. The MU is handing Pobl Dewi out ‘You’ve made it’ brochures, which contain a wealth of local information, offering light refreshments and chatting to new Dylan, Lisa, Bleddyn, Alan ac Ifan o Eglwys Tre-groes yng students. The fairs are taking place towards the end of September. 8th November nghwmni yr Esgob Wyn a’r Parch Gareth Reid yn dilyn Bedydd The MU would welcome offers of future help at any of these Esgob ar 2 Gorffennaf universities – please contact Veronica Allen on 01970 626728 6 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 Be given to hospitality Jeremy Martineau reports on the warm welcome which awaited the world’s largest sailing cruise ship when it docked in Fishguard

HE Bible is full of interest- Ting encounters and Christians are urged to be given to hospital- ity and to make others welcome, especially strangers. St Mary’s, Fishguard, is a leading member of the local Chamber of Trade and Tourism. When it was known that the cruise ship, Wind Surf, was to visit Fishguard twice this year it was decided to mount a warm welcome. The weather played its part during the ship’s visit in July, as did the Mayor and Jemima, that local heroine of the French inva- sion of 1797. But so did 11 year old harpist Ioan Evans, Pembro- keshire’s representative in the Eisteddfod. Wind Surf is the largest sail- ing cruise ship in the world, and brought 300 Americans as part of their British Isles cruise. The ship filled the space available at the dockside in Fishguard Harbour. Student summer mission The visitors enjoyed the opportu- nity to see this quaint little town What have Nottingham, Cardiff, Porthcawl, Newtown, Cardigan and experience a good welcome and Lampeter got in common? Dan Priddy & Mel Bright, Student past three years, bringing together an effective Town Team to regen- with the help of the two profes- Pastors at St Michaels Church, Aberystwyth, provide the answer sional guides that the St Mary’s the National Park, County Coun- erate the town as the development representative had arranged. The cil and Pembrokeshire Tourism hub for North Pembrokeshire. The VER the last six years all the evening to name a few. A number business community of North Association to promote this often hope springing from the resurrec- towns have hosted a student of students also teamed up with Pembrokeshire is beginning to feel ignored beautiful area. The Cham- tion of Christ is a main contributor O mission team from St Michael’s Emma Whittick, Deanery Evange- the benefit of the work done by ber of Trade is working with the to this great task. Church, Aberystwyth. This year list for Llanbadarn Fawr, for some the church representative over the Town and County Councils to form was the turn of Revd Chris Webb street evangelism during the days. and the United Parish of Lampeter. One of the larger projects for From 8th to 16th June, 30 students the week was in Canolfan Steffan, What is also exciting about gave up a week of their summer a centre for adults with both learn- this mission is the opportunity for holidays in order to serve the local ing and physical disabilities, where each one of the 25 churches in community in Lampeter during a Chris Webb already has links. An exciting prospect the deanery to participate. From week of mission. Workshops were run for the service the very beginning, the vision has The students, all studying at users, their garden was tidied up been to include every congregation Aberystwyth University and regu- and time was spent with the centre in the venture and it’s been very lar worshippers at St Michael’s staff. encouraging to see some of the during term time, participated in The students, many of whom churches choosing to participate a variety of activities during the had done very little mission in even though this will be some- week, with the aim of bringing the past, loved working alongside thing brand new for them. Whilst the churches and the community the local congregations. They left some churches will have packed closer together whilst proclaim- after church services on the 16th mission programmes with activi- ing the gospel of Christ. Activities exhausted but having seen God at ties on each day, others will choose ranged from painting and garden- work during the week. Please do to focus on one or two key events ing to a ladies’ pamper evening and pray with them for the contacts and to do them well. With Easter a youth Nintendo Wii and pizza made during the week. at the climax of the mission week we’ll have no difficulty in thinking of something to speak about. Our What could be the impact of a group of Christians working together entire faith hangs on the resurrec- for a whole week doing nothing but looking for opportunities to tion so it’ll provide a natural and speak about their faith? Llanbadarn Fawr Deanery is about to unforced focus for us. find out, writes Emma Whittick Revd John Hibberd, Lead Evan- gelist with Through Faith Missions E have invited a group of was the most wonderful harvest and member of the College of Wevangelists from Through festival service I had ever been to Evangelists, has arranged to come Faith Missions to help lead us – and the person I spoke to looked to the deanery for some preparation in a Holy Week mission in 2014 at me rather strangely, taken and training for participants. This because of the impact that Taith aback, and I couldn’t imagine how will take place over the weekend of Dewi Sant/Walk Saint David anyone else could think otherwise. 22-24 November. had on our area. Garth Hughes, Since then I believe I have grown So, what could be the impact a member of St David’s Church, immensely in my faith and feel it of a group of Christians working Capel Bangor, told me how the in a way I could never have imag- together for a whole week doing mission impacted his life and faith: ined not so long ago. I thank God nothing but looking for opportu- “I remember the week of Walk for this.” nities to speak about their faith? Saint David. It was the harvest Mission is a brilliant oppor- You’ll have to wait until next festival service at Capel Bangor tunity to reach people outside the summer’s Pobl Dewi to find out and three men came and gave testi- church and to strengthen and grow how we got on! mony. I remember saying that it the faith of regular churchgoers. Pobl Dewi, September 2013 7 Art on the Faith Trail 2013

Sarah Geach enjoys this year’s Art on the Faith Trail and invites anyone interested in having work displayed during next year’s event to get in touch HE trail, once again, brought and poetry and music, and included namely: St Davids Cathedral, St Ttogether the work of over work by Raul Speek, Nigel Sutton, Aiden’s, Solva, St Rhian’s, Llan- 20 local artists and set it in the Heather Nixon, Heather Bennett, rhian, St Hywel, Llanhywel, Holy sacred spaces of the cathedral and Richard Blacklaw-Jones, Debo- Martyrs, Mathry, St Gwyndaf’s, churches of North Pembrokeshire. rah Withey, Rod Williams, Robert Llanwnda, St Mary’s, Fishguard, The trail ran for the whole of Jakes, Sara Crisp, Katherine Green, St Brynach, Pontfaen and St David, month of July and was launched Eliot Baron, Ellie Morgan, David Llanychaer. by Bishop Wyn on 24th June at Perkins, Dawyn Tootes, Ed Bowie, It is intended to run the trail the cathedral, where many of the Buzz Knapp-Fisher, Miriam Scott again next year so please let me artists had examples of their work (poet) and a number of musicians. know if you want to take part: on display in the east end. The trail was well received and Revd Canon Sarah Geach The exhibits ranged from paint- a number of people “completed” [email protected] ings and photographs, to items the trail by visiting the cathedral Tel: 01834 812078. made from wood, stone and glass and all the nine churches involved,

WHAT’S ON AT ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL . . . September 28th 7.30pm Concert by Dalesmen Male Voice Choir October 4th 6.00pm Harvest Thanksgiving Service 5th 12.00pm Informal Concert Have we got news for you! 19th 10.30am Service for Diocesan Readers WHEN? 25th 7.30pm Formal Concert 10am – 4pm Saturday 2nd November 2013 November 10th 11.15am British Legion Service of Remembrance 25th 12.00pm Service for International White Ribbon Day WHERE? Choral Evensong followed by St Andrew’s Tide Fayre 29th 6.00pm Model Church in Wales Primary School, 30th 7.30pm Concert by The Landsker Singers College Road, Carmarthen SA31 3EQ December 1st 6.00pm The Advent Procession with Carols 11th 7.30pm Concert by Cantorion Tyddewi WHAT IS IT ABOUT? 13th 6.00pm Ysgol Bro Dewi Carol Service & Nativity How to communicate information about our 14th 7.30pm Concert by the Dyfed Choir churches and churchyards to our visitors and communities SPEAKERS Tŷ’r Pererin Andrew Lloyd Hughes, Digital Tourism Consultant Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi Simple Tools for Promoting your Church David Hammond-Williams St Davids Cathe dral Getting the Best out of the Press Friday Pilgrimage (each week) A walk of refl ection starting from Oriel y Parc at 10.30am, Jenny Kimber travelling around St Davids and on to the Cathedral for prayers at 12 noon at the Shrine, followed by a visit to Tŷ’r Pererin for light refreshments On the wall - Off the wall September Saturday 28th, 12 - 2.00 Community Harvest Lunch at Tŷ’r Pererin Please bring lunch with you October Friday 4th Schools Harvest Festival Day – tea and coffee will be provided Sat 12th – Sat 19th School of Landscape Painting And your own laptop if you wish . . . Saturday 5th Tŷ’r Pererin at Diocesan Conference, Lampeter The day is FREE, but please register Monday 28th Pilgrimage Family Day by phoning: Revd Canon Sarah Geach: 01834 812078 November Saturday 9th, 9.30 - 4.00 Tŷ’r Pererin at Growing Hope Day, Carmarthen [email protected] Monday 18th What is Ministry? Retreat Day Saturday 30th, 10 - 1.00 Advent Family Day or Caroline Evans: 01267 202305 [email protected] December Mon 2nd – Thurs 12th, 10-12.30 ‘Watching & Waiting’ Advent to Christmas Schools programme If required, directions to the Model School Please see our website for details www.stdavidscathedral.org.uk or can be provided when you register Email: [email protected] Tel: 01437 729151 8 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 Conference focus on church tourism From pilgrimage routes to digital technology, people who help run historic churches learned how to attract more tourists at the Welsh Historic Places of Worship Conference held in June at St Mary’s Church, Swansea Caroline Evans reports

PEAKERS included a digi- Stal tourism expert, funding advisers and a manager in grave- yard conservation. The organiser, Tina Andrew, Church Heritage and Conservation offi cer for the Church in Wales, said, “We want to encourage parishes to look at different ways of opening up their churches to a wider audience – outside normal service hours and thus widening our ministry”. Introduced by Alex Glanville, Revd Dr Jennie Annis Head of Property Services for the Church in Wales, the fi rst speaker aer and Pontfaen in Pembrokeshire. the group is currently organis- was Dr Jonathan Wooding the Andrew Lloyd Hughes, the Digital ing the next Diocese Tourism Day eminent historian on Welsh and Tourism Consultant and proprietor and is welcoming Andrew Lloyd Celtic Churches. He was followed of TruTourism, gave an illuminat- Hughes as a speaker with Jenny by Wendy Coombey, Community ing exhibition of the possibilities of Kimber and David Hammond- Partnership and Funding Offi cer the digital developments in getting Williams, both members of the for the Diocese of Hereford, who information about our churches into Diocesan Communications Team. was able to clarify points on fund- the wider audience and increase It takes place on Saturday 2nd ing opportunities and bids. Marc visitor footfall. The day culmi- November at the Model School in Huynen, President and Founder of nated in a very helpful session on Carmarthen. Foundation Open Churches related Dr Jonathan Wooding the Heritage Lottery Fund and how Further information from how he developed “open” churches it can help with renovations and Revd Canon Sarah Geach trails, an innovation in Belgium. was followed by Dewi Davies, tourism projects for her own church improvements to churches. 01834 812078 Sue Cooper, the Manager of Regional Strategy Director of has enabled her to help others. Jonathan, Jennie and Tina are [email protected] “Caring for God’s Acre” told how Tourism Partnership North Wales. The Saints and Stones trails all members of the St David’s the charity operates, giving advice Sue Kelly of the Open Churches project was described by Revd Dr Diocese Church Tourism Group. or Caroline Evans and support to help churchyards Network recounted how her strug- Jennie Annis, Associate Priest in Led by Canon Sarah Geach, St 01267 202305 become a community focus. She gle to get fi nancial support for the parishes of Fishguard, Llanych- David’s Diocese Tourism Offi cer, [email protected]

The outcomes reached as a Strategy update result of the process will also feed into the Growing Hope day confer- HE next steps towards imple- Ministry, Revitalising Churches ence to be held at the University of Tmenting the diocesan Strategy and Rejuvenating People and will Trinity St Davids, Carmarthen, on For Growth will be taken at this bring specifi c recommendations to 9th November. 9 November 2013 9.30-16.00 year’s Diocesan Conference. conference. Full reports from Diocesan Two groups, made up of clerics PCCs have also been meeting Conference and Growing Hope and lay people, have been meet- to consider the consequences for will appear in the December ing to fl esh out the three strands their individual parishes/ministry edition of Pobl Dewi. of the strategy, Re-imagining areas and come up with proposals.

Booking essential: £30 fee per Benefice admits 10 people. Refreshments and lunch included. Save the Date! Further details to follow. Pobl Dewi, September 2013 9 Wet Wales and world water worries Over the last ten years the Ecumenical movement has been encouraging the designation of September as ‘Creation Time’, a season of prayer for the protection of creation and promotion of sustainable lifestyles. It’s a good idea. Care for God’s beleaguered earthly creation and the issues of injustice underpinning environmental degradation are central mission areas for our 21st century Church, writes Marcus Zipperlen HE theme for this year’s ‘Crea- causing CO2 emissions and contrib- by consuming less, re-using and Ttion Time’ is ‘Water Justice’. uting to climate change, the effects repairing. As to food, eating less The Church in Wales’ environment of which impact most keenly on meat, or choosing local pasture-fed group Church Action on Sustain- poorer nations. CHASE is working meat, is effective because grain- ing the Environment (CHASE) to produce some advice on how to fed livestock has a much higher has been discussing some of these use water more efficiently which embedded water content, calo- issues, and has contributed to the we hope to circulate in the future. rie for calorie, than vegetables. useful worship and information However, taking a wider Less meat is also better for your resources available through the perspective still shows the water health, and frees up land to grow Churches Together website (www. we use in our buildings to be only more food. Buying Fair Trade also ctbi.org.uk/295). a fraction (around 5%) of the water helps, as a proportion of profits are But are we not immune from we ‘consume’. Most water used is reinvested in local environmental such worries in rainy Wales? In unseen because it is ‘embedded’ projects. Global water justice may a narrow sense then possibly we in the products we use. A cup of seem subject to forces beyond our are, although it might be that our coffee, for instance, takes as much control, but with a little bit of care English neighbours will want to water to produce as we each use we can play our part to create it. take more Welsh water to slake daily in our homes (150 litres); a For further simple guidance on their thirst, and even Welsh rivers pair of jeans takes the equivalent how a Parish might reduce its envi- are set to flow drier as global of a few months’ worth. Water is ronmental impact see the ‘Parish climate warms. But we need to be consumed on our behalf, mostly Green Guide’ that CHASE has mindful of our wider impact. Our overseas, and may be depriving produced: www.churchinwales.org. tap-water takes a lot of energy to local people of access to it. uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ A depleted Elan Valley reservoir (Birmingham’s water supply) clean and deliver to our homes, We can reduce this impact pgg-en.pdf during a dry June in 2006 Living water The parishioners of St Dogmaels and Nevern, despite being without an incumbent since June of last year, have raised an impressive amount of money in a short space of time to provide a sustainable source of clean water to an African village

ARLY in June 2013, Revd known as an Elephant Pump, which with £50. There was an immedi- EGeoffrey Asson suggested to is based on an ancient Chinese ate and wonderful response to this the parishes that they raise suffi- design, is £3,000. This is a low tech and, as a result, the first £3,000 was cient money to build a well in a pump which can be easily main- raised in six weeks. The parishes village in Malawi. He told them tained and repaired by the villagers have received a certificate confirm- about a charity called Pump Aid, themselves, who also help in the ing their pump has been installed which is involved in supply- construction, thereby learning how in the village of Mwalimu in the ing clean water for drinking and to look after it. Geoffrey Asson District of Mchinjii. sanitation in that country, where produced a leaflet giving informa- Parishioners of St Dogmaels over 9,000 children die each year tion about the charity and giving a and Nevern are now contributing because of polluted water. number of things on the back page to a second pump and have already The cost of building what is that you could, or could not, do raised a further £1,200.

All Saints’ Church, Llangorwen, although deeply rural, stands on a crossroads in the village, which means that locals and the many summer visitors to the area pass the field where the church’s traditional summer fete was held on 3rd August. The location certainly helped attract large crowds to the event, and For more details about Pump Aid visit their website: this, combined with the www.pumpaid.org, picture-perfect weather, e-mail [email protected] meant that more than or contact Danielle Ross, £1,400 was raised on Development Officer, the day. 7 Curzon Street, London W1J 5HG 10 Pobl Dewi, September 2013

was a very worthwhile experience. While it was not directly relevant to my course (nor, as it turned out, How many journeys? Focus on to my immediate career choice following graduation) it was a Benjamin Jones, from Fishguard, is excited about the future fantastic experience to work in a OU might remember Don professional environment and to be YMacGregor’s article in the University life financially independent for the first last edition of Pobl Dewi about a time in my life, much to the relief sea baptism. Well, I am the young of my parents! I would highly man he baptised. I came out of recommend selecting a course university a year ago with a good with a ‘year in industry’ or similar degree in Ancient History, but Go for it! option, you can always opt out later little in the way of clear direction on if you wish. about what I wanted to do next. I David Evershed, from Aberystwyth, graduated from Durham I absolutely loved my time at knew that I enjoyed working with University this summer. He encourages applicants to think Durham. I loved the people, the young people and had a passionate through their choices to get the most out of their time at university place, my course, I loved play- interest in history. This suggested ing sport and I loved finding any teaching as a possible career, and HIS piece of writing, rather excuse to get out and try new I was lucky enough to be offered Tthan championing the tertiary things and meet new people. What- a place on the Secondary History I have given this much thought, but education system, is more of a ever university you go to, whatever Post Graduate Certificate in Educa- have so far come up with nothing. short message of encouragement your interests, if you look hard tion at Exeter University, which I But now I realise that I have been for those of you who may be enough you will find like-minded shall begin in October. I must admit asking the wrong question. Perhaps approaching the time of having to people. This was certainly the case that, until I had tried it for myself, I should be asking: What can I do think about university applications. at Durham and I have met many I assumed that teaching would be to link my faith and teaching jour- About five years ago I applied people who I hope and expect to be easy. How wrong I was! It takes neys? This is a much more sensible to a number of universities friends for many years to come. time to realise that understanding question. After all, Christianity which I selected vaguely on their While my university expe- something yourself and teaching it cannot possibly remain separated academic reputation but primar- rience was an almost entirely to people who don’t are two very from the rest of my life, reserved ily on the personal suitability of positive one, I am aware that for different things. But I am under for Sunday mornings or quiet the courses which they offered, some people student life is not no illusions about my own abili- reflective moments. It must become and also their sporting and social all it’s cracked up to be, but not ties. There is so much history that a way of life, and here is the diffi- opportunities. I figured that there a single graduate I know actu- nobody can possibly understand cult part. My greatest challenge in was no point applying to, say, a ally regrets their decision to go to all of it, and inexperienced trainee the next few years (borrowing an top notch university if the course In the end, I was offered a place university. Yes, there are financial teachers must be prepared to learn analogy from the best of teachers) they offered in the genre in which at Durham University to study considerations, but don’t let that from others (especially from the will be making sure that the seed I was interested sounded boring (or ‘Molecular Biology and Biochem- influence your decision too greatly pupils). falls on good ground. I am really too hard!). Picking a course which istry’ which I gladly accepted. This and don’t ever worry about not Having graduated from univer- looking forward to October, but I didn’t enjoy would definitely course had an option of carry- being ‘smart’ enough – everyone sity and converted to Christianity inevitably have many questions, have soured my university experi- ing out a year in industry, which I is capable of doing well at univer- only this year, both my ‘faith’ and fears and doubts. All I can do in the ence, which is why I would advise did in my third year working for a sity, especially if you pick a subject ‘life’ journeys are in their early meantime is lift them up to God: thinking very carefully about your wildlife conservation organisation which you genuinely enjoy. Good stages. An obvious question to ask Lord, I have begun my long course choices. in Hampshire. My year in industry luck! is: How are these journeys linked? journey towards you. If on the way I bear some fruit, know that it is all directed towards you. When I pass over rocky University chaplaincy: here for you! or thorny ground and do things badly, or fail to do them, I ask Yn yr erthygl hon mae caplan prifysgol yn sôn am sut y gall y gaplaniaeth gyfoethogi a chefnogi for your forgiveness. Amen. eich amser ym myd addysg uwch TARTING a course in higher study. Alongside this, students – daunting as it may seem – can be ships made. Student days should ing instances when the believing Seducation involves many often move to unfamiliar areas, full of excitement and unimagined present wonderful, transformative community can show faith in transitions. The most obvious is leaving family and friends behind possibilities as students’ horizons experiences. action making a real difference. the change to different, inspir- and establishing additional social are enlarged, values strengthened Most universities offer some 2. Pastoral and spiritual support ing and demanding patterns of networks of support. Yet the move and lasting (often lifelong) friend- kind of chaplaincy, often providing Everyone needs a bit of extra support within and across diverse support from time to time and faith traditions so that this time of university days are no exception. intellectual enquiry and personal Chaplains and others involved with growth may be enriched. Chaplain- chaplaincy are there to offer prayer, cies offer encouragement in at least spiritual guidance and pastoral two ways: support, be that to do with matters 1. Opportunities to discover, related specifically to faith or some celebrate and proclaim faith other issue such as homesick- During university, some encoun- ness, problems with relationships, ter faith in God for the first time, academic difficulties or questions or have their existing faith deep- about future vocation and careers. ened. Christians should expect At its best, the chaplaincy should their university chaplaincies be a place of generous, inclusive (together with other organisations hospitality where everyone feels such as the Christian Union) to valued and affirmed whilst also provide opportunities for inspir- being challenged and encouraged ing worship that elevates the soul to become the person God wishes and strengthens our discipleship of them to be. Christ. There may be study groups, So if you’re about to go off to retreats and pilgrimages arranged, university, get involved with the or courses such as Alpha or chaplaincy so that this precious Emmaus which teach the essence time may be enriched and inspired! of the Christian faith. Chaplaincies Ainsley Griffiths often highlight social justice issues Chaplain to University of and organise events to promote, for Wales: Trinity Saint David example, Fairtrade, human rights (Carmarthen Campus) and environmental issues, provid- Pobl Dewi, September 2013 11 Follow your passions My university life and Jessica Cale, from Haverfordwest, is having the time of her life studying music at Cardiff University

OW in my final year at Cardiff Union which houses the univer- how you can find yours NUniversity, I look back and sity’s own nightclub. The list of Lois Barnett, from Maryland, USA, and now in her third year at can’t quite believe where the time societies to be joined is endless – Aberystwyth University, says research is the key to finding the has gone! Having grown up in the sports, music, tea parties, Doctor right university beautiful county of Pembrokesh- Who! – so no matter how quirky ire, it doesn’t seem long ago that your interests may be, there is no REALLY am enjoying my time I was receiving my A level results doubt you will find someone who I at Aberystwyth University. My and looking forward to the excit- has the same passions! Cardiff, program is taught by very knowl- ing (but slightly scary) prospect of being a capital city, has an up-and- edgeable and interested tutors, going away to university. coming metropolitan atmosphere. who care about their students and For me, finding the right It has great shopping and eating want to help them to succeed. university course was second time facilities, along with countless The townspeople are friendly and lucky. Following a short time at clubs and concert venues. Students kind. I have found a church family Birmingham Conservatoire and are able to take advantage of where I know I will be supported a few uncertain months back at discounted tickets for concerts at and loved. Aberystwyth University home, I found myself studying the St David’s Hall – including the was the right choice for me, and I music at Cardiff University and world-renowned Cardiff Singer of couldn’t be happier in my decision. However, not everyone would have not looked back. the St David’s Hall, Hoddinott Hall the World Competition – as well as enjoy Aberystwyth University as The music department at at the Wales Millennium Centre Welsh National Opera productions much as me. When choosing a Cardiff University always has a and Llandaff Cathedral. I have at the Wales Millennium Centre in university, students need to take friendly and inclusive atmosphere. also had my first experience of a Cardiff Bay. into consideration many things. Is 9am class? Never decide to go Alongside my academic lectures, I lead role in a debut opera with the So if you are considering the program you want to take well to a school only because your have filled my time with countless Cardiff University Operatic Soci- applying to Cardiff University respected at the university you boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend choirs, ensembles and societies. ety. I can’t help but think I may or any other university to study want to go to? Is the town some- is going there. You will change The department also encourages not have had so many opportuni- music, I would encourage you to where that you think you could live during this time. You might break students to start their own groups or ties had I gone to a London-based do so! Your time at university will and be happy? Does the university up with them, then you are at a ensembles. The opportunities and university or conservatoire. be some of the best years of your have a vibrant student life, offer- school you may not particularly experience I have received within The university itself boasts life, so follow your passions and ing many different clubs, societies like, trying to avoid your ex, sitting the department have been invalu- great academic facilities, along throw yourself into every opportu- and teams that you could be a part in classes you may never have able. I have been able to perform in with a very successful Students’ nity that comes your way. of? Is there an active Christian really wanted to take in the first community? place. Research is key. The internet Above all things, pray. Ask is filled with respectable websites God where he wants you to be. It ‘The best place in the world for dyslexic which rank universities on a may not be your first choice, but it number of criteria. Talk to current will end up being the right choice. and former students, if possible. ‘For I know the plans I have for individuals to learn, live and work’ Many parts of student life aren’t you, declares the Lord, plans for really quantifiable, but are no less welfare and not for evil, to give Prospective students with dyslexia can find help at Dyslecsia Cymru/Wales Dyslexia, important to consider when making you a future and a hope.’ (Jeremiah writes Christine Hall a decision. Is the campus far from 29:11) Leave your heart open to the dorms? Does that mean you God and be guided by his voice. T is estimated that around 10% individuals, professionals working will be less likely to make your He will never steer you wrong. Iof the population are affected by with dyslexia, the commercial dyslexia, with 4% being severely sector, government agencies, businesses and different inter- children needing to be tested have affected.The word “dyslexia” parents and carers to create an est groups, such as colleges, to be assessed through the medium comes from Greek and means environment where dyslexic employers and parents. of English, even though their main There is help and support “difficulty with words”. It is a individuals could develop to their Sadly Michael Davies passed medium of education is Welsh. available for all ages from difference in the part of the brain full potential. His vision was to away in June 2011, but his legacy to The test is currently in the process Dyslecsia Cymru/Wales Dyslexia. which processes language, and it create in Wales an environment Dyslecsia Cymru/Wales Dyselxia of being pilotted in schools across The charity was set up in 2001 by affects skills that are needed for which was, “the best place in the was the development of a Welsh Wales and will be available in early Michael Davies, a former special learning one or more of reading, world for dyslexic individuals to medium version of the internation- 2014. needs teacher who had seen at writing, spelling and numeracy. learn, live and work.’’ ally recognised test for dyslexia For more help or information: first-hand the learning difficulties Dyslexia, although recognised in Dyslecsia Cymru is a pan- for primary school children, the Freephone helpline 0808 1800 110; experienced by dyslexic children the Equality Act 2010 as a disabil- Wales organisation offering a DST-J. The present situation is that www.walesdyslexia.org.uk ity, cannot be seen, therefore the in his care. As a result he set bilingual free phone helpline that problem is often in getting recogni- up an organisation with the aim is a first point of contact for any tion and support. of bringing together dyslexic queries regarding dyslexia. In Dyslexia checklist • Difficulty organising written addition to the helpline, the charity • Here are some signs to look work – reports, essays etc provides a range of other services out for if you are wonder- • Difficulty learning a foreign and activities including: ing whether or not a person language • a dyslexia screening service for might be dyslexic: • Lack of confidence in own children, students and adults • Difficulty with reading and/or abilities – poor self esteem carried out by qualified and writing and motivation approved dyslexia screeners • Inconsistent spelling – • An unusual balance of • workplace assessments and tends to leave letters out or strengths and weaknesses advice for employers about reverse letter order • May be very creative how they can make reason- • Difficulty remembering lists, • May be a good problem able adjustments for dyslexic telephone numbers, spoken solver. employees in line with the instructions It must be stressed that answer- requirements of the Equality • Difficulty telling right from ing ‘yes’ to any of the above is Act 2010 left or reading maps not necessarily an indication of • University of Wales accredited • Disorganised in day-to-day dyslexia and that it is important training courses life e.g. forgets appoint- seek advice from a qualified • dyslexia awareness events for ments, loses possessions professional.

See also ‘Breaking the cycle of despair’ . . . page 17 12 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 A provincial full house Marianne Osborne finds much of interest at a conference on youth ministry

IFE for our Diocesan Youth see this as an issue. The death of trends disrupting youth ministry in LOfficers is pretty hectic at youth ministry may have seemed the next ten years. Patrick Regan of the moment with so much change like a negative title: we didn’t, XLP, a London-based youth project being implemented across the and still don’t, believe that minis- working in schools and communi- province. However, it’s exciting try amongst young people is dead, ties, chaired a lively debate on the to note that, for the first time in but we do need to look at what the theme of ‘what do we lose if youth just over ten years, each diocese changing cultural and ecclesial ministry dies?’ Last, but not least, in Wales has an officer who repre- landscape means for us as Dioc- a useful closing reflection from sented them at this year’s annual esan Youth Officers. What needs Mrs Jenny Baker from the Church National Diocesan Youth Officers confining to the skip? What does Urban Fund, who tied together Conference. The three day confer- it mean (looking with fresh eyes) all the elements which had been ence, entitled So long and thanks to truly support, encourage and touched on throughout the whole for all the tuck: the death of youth enable churches to be good news conference. ministry?, was hosted by the South to a generation who do not connect It was fantastic to spend time East Region and held in Haslemere, with the church as they perceive it. with others who are encountering Surrey, from 13th to 15th May. These were seen to be the most the same youth ministry issues, We can all point to really great important questions in today’s to debate with, and resource, one youth ministry projects but a ques- youth ministry and so that is what another and, of course, there was tion needs to be asked about youth we began to explore over the three lots of laughter and fun in between ministry in the context of the vast day conference and, to help us the hard work . . . Sorry youth offic- majority of the churches we serve. focus and reflect, we had a number ers never grow up; being grown up Back row, l to r: Revd Marianne Osborne, St Davids; Mr Tim Many parishes simply have no of superb speakers. Dr Graeme is no fun! Feak, St Asaph; Revd Neil Hook, Swansea & Brecon. Front row, contact with the emerging gener- Codrington spoke about under- l to r: Revd Sarah Rogers, Llandaff; Revd Janice Brown, Bangor; ation, and in some cases don’t standing the generations and five Mrs Pam Richards, Monmouth

session has a theme and begins with craft activities linked to that Taste and See theme. In May our theme was The congregation of St Mary’s, Cardigan, steps out in faith Pentecost and the crafts focused on things which are powerful but and launches Messy Church. John Bennett is enthusiastic and invisible. We made bread rolls encourages other parishes to be part of this vibrant initiative (yeast), helicopters (gravity), paint AVING been praying about led us in a kind of Agape feast, blowing pictures (wind) and played Hour work with children and concluding with pizzas! The family the fishing game (magnetism). This young people for some months, event on the Sunday afternoon was followed by worship includ- we decided to take up the offer captured the imagination of fami- ing a talk on the Holy Spirit in our of the Diocesan Children and lies from church, from the fringes lives using a hairdryer as an illus- Youth Teams to hold a ‘Taste & and church members willing to tration! Each session concludes See’ weekend. This took place be involved with the project. The with tea together. Messy Church on the first weekend in March. crafts were all based around the at the beginning of June took the Prior to this we had two planning theme of the banquet, Naomi led story of Lazarus as the theme, sessions with Marianne Osborne the worship time with a creative complete with a tree which had to and Naomi Wood, our Diocesan telling of the parable of the great be climbed! It has been wonderful Youth and Children’s Officers. We banquet and some lively songs and to see something new and vibrant had a good-sized team to prepare we concluded with tea together. get off the ground and the enthusi- for the weekend which had the This, then, was the start of asm of the team. We pray that God theme of the Great Banquet. The our ‘Eglwys Siwl-di-mwl/Messy will use this to bring families to youth event on the Friday, although Church’, following which we faith in Jesus. poorly attended, went really well; decided to have Messy Church on ‘Taste and See’ is a wonderful we started with some wacky ice- the first Sunday afternoon of each gift of the Youth and Children’s breaker games, did some artwork month. The team of about six meet Teams to the diocese: why not to illustrate our lives and Jesus to pray and plan the next session contact them to plan a weekend in being with us, and then Marianne some 10 days beforehand. Each your parish or deanery? Plant Dewi celebrates its tenth anniversary . . . and looks forward to a new decade

N July 2012 Plant Dewi began These projects included family concert, a festival of light service Iits tenth year celebrations when centres, family groups, parenting in Kidwelly Deanery, a service of a candle was blessed by the Bishop groups, young parents’ groups, celebration in St Mary’s Church, of St Davids at the Plant Dewi young people’s groups, and dads’ Tenby, and a 12-hour prayer vigil Sunday service held in St Davids groups. At this year’s Plant Dewi in St Davids Cathedral. Cathedral. The candle then began Sunday service the candle returned Building on the experience its year-long journey around the 50 to the cathedral when Sue Fletcher, of the first ten years, Plant Dewi, projects which the Plant Dewi team Project Manager, handed it back to where families matter, looks supports. Each week the candle Bishop Wyn where it took place of forward to continuing its work visited one of the local projects honour during the service which strengthening families, nurturing where it was lit and the Plant Dewi celebrated ‘Light of the World’. children and building communi- prayer was read before being taken Other events were held during ties throughout our Diocese of St to the local parish church on the the course of the year which Davids. following Sunday. included a grand raffle, a bilingual Pobl Dewi, September 2013 13 Plant Dewi’s annual retreat Plant Dewi’s retreat was once again held at Ffald y Brenin for three days in June. Plant Dewi staff welcomed the chance to take a break from the everyday work, spending time together for spiritual refl ection and simply enjoying each other’s company in the beautiful countryside of the Gwaun Valley

HE retreat was led by Vener- Lunch and dinner provided part in both group and individ- Table Alun Evans who held further opportunities for the staff ual craft based on the Light of the sessions each day on this year’s to chat and get to know each other World theme. theme ‘Light of the World’, a as not all staff are based in the Red Night prayers were led by Ven theme which would be carried Street offi ce. Some are based in Alun Evans, as was the Eucharist through to the later Plant Dewi St Davids Archdeaconry, some in held on the Friday morning and a Sunday service. Cardigan Archdeaconry and others short service of commitment on the As usual the retreat began with in the Carmarthen Plant Dewi shop. Friday afternoon which concluded everyone introducing themselves The retreat provides a very impor- the retreat. and highlighting things in their tant opportunity to mix in this way. The annual retreat is very much working life which had been partic- Craft activities form an impor- valued by the Plant Dewi staff ularly poignant for them during the tant part of the retreat and this year and everyone is greatly looking year since the last retreat. staff had the opportunity to take forward to next year. Diocesan youth day out at Llain Llain is a wonderful activity centre not far from Aberystwyth and it was the ideal venue for our June youth day out, says Marianne Osborne

HERE was climbing and Tabsailing, kayaking, the asault course challenge and archery. The sun shone, the rain rained and our entrepid mud-covered youth and leaders took on the challenges of the day with great enthusiam and courage. It really was so much fun! In between activities, and while enjoying our lunch, we spent some time, through Bible study and Inspirational some games, thinking about how God’s Holy Spirit is such a big part of our lives. and challenging Our day fi nished with a time of worship together and the most On 12th June St Davids Diocese Mothers’ Union members wonderful meal cooked fresh in joined others from around the world for the General the centre kitchen. Defi nitely a day Meeting in Bath. Gwendoline James reports to remember for youth and leaders HE theme for the service, Adrian Plass, the writer, alike. Tat the beginning of the day, entertained and challenged was ‘wells’ and the Bishop of us all to think about how Taunton took as his text Jesus we work together despite meeting the Samaritan woman our differences. He spoke of So good she plays it twice at the well. He reminded us laughter, listening and love. that, just as Jesus went beyond Laughter always makes us protocol by talking to a Samar- feel good. Listening: we are itan woman, perhaps we, too, not very good at listening to should step over the fence and others. God listens to us and reach out to others we don’t we should always listen to him always recognise and maybe and to others. Love: we tend to have certain prejudices against. focus on material things, but if The theme for the general everything is lost what is left? meeting was ‘Sowing the future Where is love? We are the together’. Lynne Tembey, World- children of God and the love of wide Mothers’ Union (MU) God is for all of us. Don’t stop President, in her inspirational asking for it. opening presentation, reminded Finally everyone was asked us that our membership is a gift to take up a challenge to sow that must be shared. “All over seeds for the future, whether the world members are reach- that is recommitting to pray ing out to their communities each day for the MU or cycle in truly amazing ways.” She 100 miles to raise funds. We encouraged us to have faith, all have a part to play; even if hope and love as we move MU you were not at the meeting we forward into the future. want everyone to take up the Some of the achieve- challenge. ments of the past year, plus The General Meeting 2014 exciting plans for the future, will be held in Belfast on Satur- Olivia Dobney (7) is delighting the congregation in Llanfyrnach (Crymych Group of Churches) by were explored by the Unit day 21st June. accompanying some of the hymns on the organ. Her performances go down so well that they are Co-ordinators. often repeated by popular request. Next stop St Davids Cathedral? 14 Pobl Dewi, September 2013

more complicated than the Western media suggests and their report- ing and presentation is often not Us launches appeals Postcard from Egypt impartial.” His take on the present The Christian charity Us (formerly USPG) has launched two events is that the army were acting appeals to encourage Anglicans and other church-goers in Brit- on behalf of the people in remov- ain and Ireland to reach out to Syrian refugees and families in ing President Morsi. He recalls crisis in Egypt. that millions of people went to the streets on 30th June (a majority of The Us Egypt Appeal is raising money to support the work of those eligible to vote) to call for the Anglican Church in Egypt, which is feeding and supporting Morsi’s removal. The Bishop cites vulnerable families caught in the middle of political unrest. examples of how patient the army The Us Syria Appeal is being run in collaboration with have been, and how representative Embrace the Middle East and will support an ecumenical network they are of the will of the people. of churches reaching out to Syria’s two million refugees with food He sees the Muslim Brotherhood and other essential items. as the perpetrators of violence. This is hardly surprising in a situation More information on the Us Syria appeal: where reprisals against churches www.weareus.org.uk/latestupdates/syria/ are commonplace – 30 have been More information on the Us Egypt appeal: attacked at time of writing. www.weareus.org.uk/latestupdates/egypt/ However, he makes a real John Holdsworth, Executive Archdeacon in Cyprus and The Gulf, distinction between the Brother- offers some insights into Egypt’s current unrest hood and ordinary Muslims, as he writes: “I was touched by the HE Province of Jerusalem refugees, deaf and disabled people. report about a Muslim citizen, Cursillo St Davids Tand the Middle East includes The Bishop, Mouneer Hanna Anis, Mohammed el Dardiri, who tried the diocese of Egypt. Just as it is a is primate (a post which is elected to prevent the extremist groups As the planned gifting of Cursillo to the Diocese of Swansea and surprise to many people that there for fi ve year periods here). Most from burning the Evangelical Brecon continues, the pace quickens, writes Judy Webb are any Christians in this region at of the congregations worship in church at Bani Mazar in Minea. all, it is a related surprise to fi nd a Arabic and consist of members As a result, the extremist groups vibrant Anglican presence in the of the indigenous populations, shot him dead. Many Muslims eight countries included in that but there are some English speak- expressed their sadness about the diocese. As the diocesan website ing congregations, for example in burned churches, and announced confi rms, there are over 100 congre- Cairo and Alexandria, where the that they would like to join with the gations throughout the Diocese of Dean of the sub-cathedral (and Christians in repairing the damage. Egypt, with All Saints Cathedral, recently appointed Principal of the “At the moment, prayers are Cairo, being the spiritual centre. Alexandria School of Theology) is asked that there may be a better The Diocese supports over 30 a former student of St Michael’s understanding of the situation in institutions which include hospi- College, Llandaff. the country; that aid will not be tals, clinics, nurseries, schools, a Bishop Mouneer keeps us all in stopped, and that the majority of theological seminary, micro-enter- touch regularly with his response Egyptians may be able to rebuild prise ventures, vocational training to the situation in Egypt. He is their country.” programs, as well as institutions for concerned that “the situation is

dau o ddyddiau. Fe fuon ni yn y farchnad, lle disgynnodd bomiau The gathering in Carew, with Bishop John Rhosyn coch ar bobl ddiniwed oedd yn prynu eu bwyd. Mae’r olion yno o hyd, DDED to our gatherings been blessed and will be blessed While travelling in Central Europoe, Eluned Rees is deeply ac enwau’r degau gafodd eu lladd A(Ultreyas) in St Davids, we again, in our LDs! Thank you so affected by more than 200 red rose symbols in Sarajevo. The ar y wal. Y weithred ofnadwy hon have held them in Gorseinon and much, Pam for everything you’ve roses are a permanent memorial to those who were killed during dynnodd NATO i mewn i helpu Lwchwr, Swansea & Brecon. One done for us. the 1990s confl ict pobl Bosnia, a cheisio gwrthse- pilgrim from that diocese attended 17th August saw an Ultreya in fyll Milošević a’i lofruddwyr. our weekend last year, and on this Carew, where more than 30 Cursil- A, dwyf fi ddim yn mynd Ond i fi , yr uchafbwynt oedd Ond, y rhosod a’m trawodd fi . year’s weekend in October several listas, prospective Cursillistas and Ni sôn am arddio, achos Sarajevo. Fe fydd y mwyaf- Bob hyn a hyn, ar y pafi n, neu ar more will join the St Davids visitors enjoyed time together, bysedd du sydd gyda fi ; hynny rif ohonoch yn cofi o’r rhyfel, ac y ffordd, roedd siâp rhosyn mewn pilgrims in Coleg Trefeca. The hunt concluding with a shared lunch yw, mae popeth rwy’n ceisio ei mae’r olion i’w gweld yn glir yno carreg goch, yn cofnodi’r man lle continues for existing Cursillistas and Eucharist. We were delighted dyfu yn gwywo. Rwy’n meddwl o hyd. Fe gerddon ni ar hyd sniper cafodd rhywun ei ladd gan fom o’r who have attended a residential to be joined by Rt Revd Dr John mai lladd planhigion â charedigr- alley a heibio i’r Holiday Inn lle mynyddoedd o amgylch i’r ddinas. weekend in another diocese and Saxbee, retired Bishop of Lincoln wydd rwy’n tueddu gwneud, sef bu John Simpson a’r newyddiadur- Mae dros ddau gant ohonyn nhw, now reside in Swansea and Brecon. now living in our diocese, who rhoi gormod o ddŵr iddyn nhw. wyr eraill yn cuddio yn eu hofn. ac er nad oes enwau arnyn nhw, Several of us attended the was a staunch supporter of Lincoln Na, mae’r rhosod coch yma ar Fe welon ni’r man lle, yn ôl mae eu gweld yn atgof parhaol National Annual Ultreya in Wake- Cursillo. He presided at our Eucha- lawr yn ninas Sarajevo. Fe fuon ni y sôn, roedd y canwr soddgrwth, i bawb sy’n cerdded drostynt. fi eld on 7th September. We were rist, the fi rst occasion on which ar wyliau yng nghanoldir Ewrop, The Cellist of Sarajevo os darl- Ni fydd y rhain yth yn gwywo. joined by hundreds of Cursillis- our new chalice and paten, which sef Gwlad Pwyl, Awstria, Slofa- lenoch chi’r nofel, yn canu ei tas from across the UK in worship I brought back as a gift to Cursillo cia, Slofenia, Bosnia, Herzogovina offeryn bob nos am ddau ddeg and fellowship; at the Eucharist the from my recent pilgrimage to the a Croatia. Dyna beth oedd antur! banners of all the dioceses were Holy Land, were used. They depict Hedfan i Warsaw ac yna ar y trên presented – a wonderful, colourful the mosaics in the Church of the i Bratislava, Zagreb, Sarajevo, sight. The National is a never-to- Multiplication of the Loaves and Mostar ac i lan y môr yn Croatia. be-forgotten experience! Fishes at Tabgha. Thank you so Roedd ein taith o gwmpas Our AGM this year takes place much, Bishop, for your presence. Warsaw, gyda dyn ifanc yn ein in Curtis House, St Davids, on You, too, are a breath of fresh air. harwain, yn addysg ynddo’i hun. 19th October from 10.30 am. At If you would like to know more Fe welon ni’r lle’r oedd y ‘Warsaw 3.30 pm, after our shared lunch, about the world-wide Cursillo ghetto’ wedi bod, a dysgu am our new Lay Director (LD), Hazel movement in our diocese, please yr erchyllterau bu’r Iddewon Burn, will be commissioned by contact Pam Hughes: yn eu dioddef. Yna, dridiau’n Bishop Wyn in the Cathedral Lady Telephone 01437 711358 ddiweddarach, aeth merch ifanc Chapel (all will be very welcome). [email protected]. â ni o gwmpas Bratislava, ac Hazel is taking over from Pam Information can also be found eto roedd clywed a gweld yr Hughes, our Lay Director for the on the National Cursillo web site, hanes yn ddiddorol tu hwnt. past three years; we have, indeed, www.anglicancursillo.co.uk Pobl Dewi, September 2013 15 Cynwyl: the saint with a legendary link For the latest in her series, Mary Baker’s investigations take her from Northern Britain to Carmarthenshire AINT Cynwyl has dedications called to provide mission here in In the tale of Olwen and Culh- Sin Ceredigion and Carmarthen- Dyfed. He was given land at Caio wch, Sant Cynwyl is named as a tall shire and it was the church tucked and built a simple spiritual commu- warrior saint who is one of the last away in the village of Cynwyl nity there. Cynwyl found solace in left standing at the battle of Camlann. Elfed that set me on the trail. The natural places and would climb King Arthur is mortally wounded church is bounded by a river and Mynydd Mallaen and go into the and Cynwyl is one of the three still the existing medieval building valley of the River Annell where surviving with Arthur and he is the probably replaces a simpler, more he knelt in prayer on a large rock. last to be parted from the king. ancient structure. It is said that his knees left imprints The tale of Arthur is one that It is said that Cynwyl was born on the rock and for centuries after- holds resonance in Britain and the to a chieftain of Northern Brit- wards farmers would collect water hero is one that, perhaps, is needed ain. The noble family supposedly from the hollows to pour over the by every generation. The tale is fled when attacked by Picts and backs of cattle to cure their beasts told and re-told on film, television Scots. So the father, St Dunod, and of many infirmities. and throughout literature. It is a his three sons came to Wales and He must have travelled and legend known the world over and founded a Monastery at Bangor maybe set up outlying monastic people travel thousands of miles on Dee in Flintshire. Cynwyl and cells at Cynwyl Elfed and at Aber- to connect with an ancient name his brothers Deiniol and Gwarthan porth where churches are now in an ancient landscape. Here in lived peacefully with their saintly dedicated to him, but it seems that a church in rural Carmarthenshire father and preached to the local his name was also famous in the I had found just such an ancient people. But our saint, it seems, tales of the Mabinogion and the legendary connection and his name was favoured by St David and was legend of King Arthur. was Saint Cynwyl.

Who moved the stone? Nikki Vousden was out for a stroll with Dr Roderick Bale (University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter), when they spotted an unusual carved rock sticking out of a stream about 40 yards from St Sulien’s Church in Silian, near Lampeter. The find has sparked a great deal of interest, writes Jenny Kimber

S well as being treasurer of to sit on medieval foundations and Volume II. Professor Edwards later ASilian Church, Nikki also has a 5th/6th century inscribed confirmed that this was indeed works at the Royal Commission on stone built into its south wall. ‘Silian 3’ which she had been the Ancient and Historical Monu- searching for since writing her ments of Wales – so she knew this ‘Silian 3’ book. slab was something special. Nikki’s research revealed that the The stone measures 75cm by Recent rain made the carving stone has been known about for 41cm wide by 12cm and its pattern stand out clearly on the wet stone, over a century and is known as includes a linear Latin cross within which turned out to be a mediaeval ‘Silian 3’. There’s reference to a a lozenge. There are only three ecclesiastical monument, possibly plaster cast of it in a book called other definite examples of crosses a boundary or grave marker. This The Early Christian Monuments of with lozenge shaped rings in Wales: find isn’t all that surprising because Wales by Nash-Williams and it is Llanllawer 3, from St David’s Nikki Vousden with the stone in the stream Silian Church is home to two also described in detail by Nancy Church, Llanllawer; ‘Llandecwyn further medieval carved stones. Edwards in her book A Corpus of 1’, from St Tecwyn’s Church, Llan- Although the current church build- Early Medieval Inscribed Stones decwyn and Llandanwg 5, from St ing dates from 1873, it’s believed and Stone Sculpture in Wales Tanwgs Church, Llandanwg. Punch marks Members of the public were Focus on WW1 invited to St Sulien’s Church to see To mark the Great War’s centenary in 2014, the focus for the newly-discovered stone. They the December issue of Pobl Dewi will be on World War 1. joined Professor Nancy Edwards Readers who would like to contribute to this feature are who used a torch to highlight the pattern and noted that the carving invited to get in touch, as soon as possible, with the consists of punch marks. ‘Silian Managing Editor, Tessa Briggs, at 3’ will be permanently housed at [email protected] St Sulien’s Church and the church members intend to apply for fund- ing to display ‘Silian 3’ as well as ‘Silian 2’, a 9th/10th century pillar- stone and to mount a community excavation. No-one in the village knows anything about the stone or why it was discarded so carelessly but it’s hoped that this find will help the people of Silian reinforce a sense of ownership of their village and a Members of the Public in the church examining the stone. Roder- sense of belonging to a community. ick Bale is holding the torch, Vicar, The Revd Chris Webb is on the right and Prof Nancy Edwards sitting on the floor 16 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 Bishop Roy Davies Rt Revd Roy Thomas Davies, former Bishop of Llandaff, died in Armed August following a short illness. He was 79. LTHOUGH he was at ALlandaff for 14 years, Bishop Forces Roy was born, ordained and served for most of his life in the Diocese of St Davids. A Welsh Church Scholar from Llangunnor Veterans’ in Carmarthen, he was educated at St David’s College, Lampeter, then at Jesus College, Oxford. He trained for ordination at St Day Stephen’s House, Oxford, and was ordained in St Davids Cathedral as a deacon in 1959 (priest in 1960). He then served as assistant curate 2013 of St Paul’s, Llanelli, from 1959 to 1964, before being appointed deacon of Carmarthen in 1982, More than 100 people vicar of Llanafan in 1964. He then and vicar of Llanegwad in 1983. attended a service to mark served in Aberystwyth from 1967 He was clerical secretary of the Armed Forces Veterans’ to 1973 where he was chaplain to Governing Body of the Church in Day at Holy Trinity Church, the Anglican students at the univer- Wales from 1983 until his appoint- Aberystwyth, on 30th June. sity and team vicar in the Rectorial ment as Bishop of Llandaff in Benefice. 1985. He retired in 1999. Pictured are the standards After being secretary of the The Archbishop of Wales, who of eight groups, from Provincial Council for Mission and succeeded Bishop Roy as Bishop Aberystwyth, Aberaeron and Unity of the Church in Wales from of Llandaff, described him as a Bala, being received by 1973 to 1979, he became vicar of pastoral priest and a courageous Revd Ian Girling, Vicar of St David’s, Carmarthen, from 1979 bishop. to 1983. He was appointed Arch- Holy Trinity Church Dr David Causton Commemorative Candle Service T was during the Diocesan IClergy Conference in July that we heard the sad news that Dr David Causton had died follow- On 8th August, a special ing a short illness. Prayers for service was held at St the repose of David’s soul were Davids Cathedral when offered together with those for his Mothers’ Union members family, which continue. gathered again to light a I feel privileged to have been asked to write acknowledging and candle in memory of miscar- recording David’s outstanding ried and stillborn babies. record of service in this diocese at Although fewer than all levels, as well as to the Church last year turned out, the in Wales provincially. David was service was still valued by an eminent and respected academic of calculating Quota, now Ministry those that were there, with and statistician, but above all a Share; the editorship of the Dioc- the lighting of the candle family man dedicated to the service esan Year Book; the numerous bringing the simple, but of God in Jesus Christ through his Diocesan Committees – the Dioc- moving, service to an end. Church. esan Nomination Board (David’s The Dean accompanied I had known and worked with personal favourite), the Churches by Canon Dorrien Davies and David, often very closely, both at and Pastoral Committee and the MU Chaplain Canon Bryan diocesan and provincial level, for Communications Team to name Witt conducted the service. more than 30 years. but a few. Canon Dorrien, during his David was a man of resolute David’s last major task was to address, reflected on why chair a group considering the crite- opinions, firmly held with convic- we were there and he was ria for the future viability of church tion and sincerity. He was not joined by Canon Bryan after easily moved from the positions he buildings, the report of which has the service to spend time with adopted, which he argued with skill already featured as part of our any members who needed to and determination. Even though it thinking behind our Diocesan caused difficulty at times for him Strategy for Growth and our future talk through their experiences and others, he was always prepared wellbeing as a diocese. to stand up and be counted. When In addition to all of this, it in a minority of one David would, is right to acknowledge David’s perhaps reluctantly, usually accept many provincial roles and also his Follow Pobl Dewi on the majority view. parochial contributions. In a few words such as these I know that Bishop Wyn joins www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk it is never possible to do justice to me, both personally and on behalf someone who has given so much, of our diocese, in acknowledg- in so many aspects of church life. ing David’s record of service and David’s contribution to diocesan ministry. We give thanks to God for affairs was immense and sustained. him and his life in its many facets. This included the commissions May he rest in peace and rise in enquiring into the diocese held by glory. www.facebook.com/pobldewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi Bishops George and Ivor; the basis Venerable W R Hughes Pobl Dewi, September 2013 17 Reflections

word finds meaningful today. contemporaries, as the chapter Robinson was not concerned headings of Honest to God reveal. Impressions of Honest to God with academic theology and how to I am not sure that he did, nor present it. He wrote as a bishop, to within the compass of a short book Fifty years after ‘Honest to God’ was first published, Bishop Wyn reflects on the controversy whose office belonged the guardi- – it is only 141 pages long – could provoked by the book and the impact it has had over the past half century anship and defence of the faith. He he have done justice to the theol- wanted his contemporaries to be ogy of these three scholars, whose 1963 and Honest to God: the book for anyone with grounding in either aware of, and respond to, the living work was complex and nuanced. clearly had an impact at the time Patristic or Reformation Theology, God. Bearing in mind that Robin- since it ran to nine impressions or for anyone who had an interest So, how to speak of God? It is son’s academic discipline was between March and September of in the Church History of the previ- a perennial problem: and not just New Testament studies, that alone that year. It is not, however, the ous century, it was thin fare indeed. for bishops but for all who have to should have made him more sensi- book which I recall, but the cover. What Robinson did was to try find the language to speak about tive to the needs of metaphorical That striking schematic, but enig- and get people to think about the God. Robinson’s concern was the language, not only in the spheres matic, figure of Seated Youth 1918 reality of a God, whom he thought one which we all have to face: how of worship and prayer but in speak- has never seemed to reflect either had no impact on his contem- can we speak of God and commend ing of God generally as some of the content of Honest to God or its poraries, especially his younger the Christian faith in a way which his reviewers, notably Archbishop impact; certainly not on me. contemporaries. He felt that they makes sense to those among whom Michael Ramsey, pointed out. I well remember the book were dismissing God because they we find ourselves? Its prime impact at the time coming out, but I cannot recall could not get beyond the imagery In order to do that he felt that was that it was written by a bishop, reading it at the time. What I do with which, and through which, he, and hence his readers, needed was clearly articulating what many remember was the Sunday news- God had been presented to the to be honest and seek to divest people were thinking and was paper headline: Our Image of God world by the Church. In particular, themselves of false images which concerned with presenting the Must Go. it was the association of a God with prevented talking about God to a Christian Faith, especially in the It was not until I began teach- died suddenly. On that syllabus a three decker universe, a God up modern world. ethical sphere, in a way that people ing in Trinity College, Carmarthen, was Honest to God. there or out there, which he felt was Robinson’s solution was to turn could understand the essence of nearly twenty years after the publi- I have to admit, that when I alienating people: that there was a to three German theologians of the what it was about, because it was cation of Honest to God that I came read it, I could not see what all the growing gulf between the tradi- twentieth century: Rudolf Bult- vitally important to do so. to read it. I had no choice: I had to fuss was about. It may have been tional orthodox supernaturalism mann, Paul Tillich and Dietrich pick up the syllabus and teaching seen as modern and daring in its in which our faith has been framed Bonhoeffer. He tried to distill and load of my predecessor, who had day, a couple of decades ago, but and the categories which the ‘lay’ present their conclusions to his

Commandment number four. Commandment number six. Be Commandment number eight. Make our services accessible. The yourself. While there are some Do all you can to avoid commit- Life lessons sung Te Deum may be a turn-on for brilliant programmes and initia- tees. It has been horrifying and the initiated few, but it will bore tives which work really well in a little depressing to see the As Stuart Bell approaches retirement, he considers what he has the socks off those who have little other churches we need to develop number of people-hours [lifetimes learnt during his lifetime of ministry experience of church. We need programmes for the parish which when added up] which have been everyday language, contempo- are uniquely ours. We must invested in initiatives which have HE Bible is a bit ambivalent as rary music, and relevant preaching produce a church culture which come to nothing. We have only one to whether or not it is advisable T if we are going to reach the next expresses the uniqueness and the life and the place not to spend it is to look back. On the one hand we generations. Breaking the mould of particular giftedness of those who on a committee! are told to set up ‘Ebenezer’ stones traditional bookish worship means worship with us. So, from September I will join which are intended to be reminders we can begin to communicate with Commandment number seven. the ranks of the retired. I should of the way that the Lord has helped a post-Christian world. Pray and trust the Lord. Not only feel guilty for drawing a pension us in the past, and to take encour- Commandment number five. do we pray corporately on Sunday, and being a burden to the state, agement from his provision and People need to be converted. and personally during the week, the health service and the church, care. On the other hand we are told Concerts, entertainment and film but we call the church to pray and except for one silver lining. I am to put our hand to the plough and shows can fill the church build- fast at various important times. about to start on that stage of not to look back. Lot’s wife got it in ing, but the congregation will When there are severe problems, ministry for which I was ordained the neck for her backward glance. leave none the better. We need to when we are engaged in a new in the first place. Or at least that’s So to reflect or not to reflect on be praying, and aiming, for a deep enterprise, when we are faced by what the other retired clergy all 25 years of ministry in Aberyst- conversion of soul which changes momentous change: these are the say! wyth? That is the question. Where it lives, hearts, behaviour, morality times to pray continuously because went well there’s a danger of pride and aspirations. This continues to we know from experience that God and where it went badly there’s a happen. answers us. danger of despair, and who can be income to the work of the Lord is fully objective anyway? Perhaps a clear discipleship command. As it’s best simply to draw out some our people give to this standard continued from page 1 Speaker after speaker pointed To deny women this opportunity, life lessons. Eight commandments so our financial problems begin to to the fact that the Church was they argued, would confirm secular drawn from experience. melt away. It has been this gener- bishops, with no time limit, the lagging behind society, where opinion that the Church is irrele- Commandment number one. ous and sacrificial giving which bishops have been tasked to gender equality is a fact of life, vant and out of touch with modern Let people do things. They flour- has been at the heart of an annual produce a Code of Practice, by this when it should be leading the way. thinking. ish when they are given big £600,000 parish turnover. time next year, that will address Opponents, however, worried responsibilities and mature almost Commandment number three. their conscientious objections. that the amended bill would take overnight. Establish a permission- Explain the Christian message in Archbishop Barry Morgan responsibility for the provisions for giving culture. Instead of working language that people understand. promised that the Bishops would dissenters away from the Govern- out the limitations of an episco- This is the era of process evan- consult “all sections” widely in ing Body. pal licence and deciding what our gelism because those outside the order to produce the code of prac- The Archdeacon of Cardigan, church members cannot do, we church are so far away from the tice. “Nothing, and no-one, will be Ven Dr Will Strange, compared need to free them for ministry. Our message of the Christian faith. lost,” he said. the vote – in which delegates preaching teams of younger people They need time to think issues Supporters claimed the two- went through a door – to the deci- have resulted in a constant flow of through and make a decision as stage approach would discriminate sion, which took people through ordinands, numbering almost 50 to whether or not they will follow against female bishops, creating a a turnstile. “Once you’re through over the years. Christ. We run the brilliantly two-tier system, and several speak- [a turnstile],” he said, “there’s no Commandment number two. productive Alpha Course twice a ers said they would vote against going back. The landscape on the Challenge our members to live year and never has it been run with- the bill unless the amendment was other side is now less clear.” Biblically. Giving one tenth of our out someone becoming a Christian. included. The clergy cast their votes 18 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 Breaking the cycle of despair ALWAYS thought you went into the autumn and that stopped. The I the kind of job your Dad had, Job Centre did help me to write but my Dad never had a job and he applications for jobs, but most of left my Mum when I was 6. Quite them don’t even reply. When they a few of the people round here are do, they say I need experience. unemployed. Teachers at school How can I get experience without a said I wouldn’t get a proper job job first? I feel so depressed. I want because I didn’t work hard enough. to be a man and prove I matter, but I didn’t like school – really boring. without a job I feel I am a nobody. But then Mum said she’d kick me I can’t buy the shoes and clothes I out if I didn’t get a job so I tried; want to be proud of. I am rubbish, I really tried. I went round all the and people look at me as if I am places in town but there were no rubbish. Sometimes I can’t see the jobs going. My mates did ask at point of going on. If I didn’t have their place but there was noth- a couple of good mates I’d give Exploring Faith ing. If we had a computer at home up. How can I get started on life. I that might help me find some- don’t want my young brother to go thing. I can’t even afford a mobile through the problems I am having. On 7th September those following the Exploring Faith course began the 2013-14 year with phone. The Job Centre didn’t help I know I should have tried harder seminars on Worship and Jonah at St John’s Church, Carmarthen. The day was led by Revd Dr much and I was told my benefit at school, but I couldn’t see the Richard Hainsworth and Revd Canon Mike West (pictured). There will be 15 Exploring Faith groups would stop if I didn’t try harder. I point of it then. I want to be grown across the diocese this year. For more information please contact Revd Dr Rhiannon Johnson, just didn’t know what to do. I did up and have a nice girl friend, but tel: 01437 781279; e-mail: [email protected] get some work helping some old no-one would want a yob like I feel people do their gardens, but come I am now. Life isn’t fair.

Patient watchdogs wanted Jeremy Martineau reflects on the challenge to the Church and to Christians posed by this young person YWEL DDA CHC, an inde- Hpendent statutory body which ESUS comes alongside the link with youth workers to provide represents the patients and the Jpoor and downtrodden and a safe place for young people to public in the NHS throughout St shares their situation. Our Chris- share their concerns? Friendship Davids Diocese, is recruiting addi- tian claim is that God identifies is such a valuable offering as it tional, volunteer members from with those at the bottom of soci- restores a lost sense of self worth. Ceredigion for up to one year in the ety. So first, sit down alongside Maybe your church can generate first instance. These members act and don’t talk down to people in useful work, on buildings, grounds, as the eyes and ears of patients and their distress, listen carefully and caring and community activity in make sure that the people who use hear their story. Use the networks which those who feel they have health services in Wales have their you have to ask for help. Reversing nothing to offer can be involved, views heard. It is only by listening the downward spiral which many with all the usual safeguards, of to the concerns of the patient and travel down takes lots of effort, course. Open up conversations working with those who provide patience and persistence which with those organisations that are health services that we are able to they may not have; so can you involved in work or unemployment maintain and, if necessary, improve provide it for them? Young people to see what you can do to help. the patient’s experience of the NHS. may not understand the complexi- And, of course, these thoughts The scope of the CHC ties of the working world and may are to be considered by all church member is wide-ranging, monitor- Paul Hinge from the Ceredi- views and are willing to volunteer need help in being realistic about members, not the clergy alone. ing everything from hygiene and gion Locality Office said: “We rely a few days every month, you could their ambitions. Can your church accommodation to proactively on our volunteers and are actively make a real difference to the qual- seeking views from the public looking to take on a small number ity of healthcare in Ceredigion.” and, perhaps, the opportunity to of members, who will be given the To find out more call 01970 represent the patient on health necessary training. If you are good 613086 or visit www.community- committees. at listening to others, exchanging healthcouncils.org.uk/hyweldda/ The busy summer term

Victoria Jones is enjoying On the same day, in the after- the Scripture Union ‘GAMES’ with strengthening the links between noon, Class 1 came to visit the years 3 to 6. We looked at the story church and school in Johnston church for another special occasion. of the Good Samaritan and espe- During lessons they had been learn- cially the attitudes of the robbers, UMMER term is a very busy ing all about baptism and, to see this priest, Levite and the Samaritan. Stime for our primary schools, for themselves, they came to church There was a great sense of God’s with the preparation of year 6 leav- to baptise a baby doll. All the chil- presences with us throughout the ing to move on to secondary school, It has now become a tradition with every class member having a dren had a role to play in the service, day especially during our cele- school trips and final assessments for Mrs Roberts and Class 2 to have role to play – from the bride to the which was enjoyed by everyone. bration sessions. It has been an to be done. Johnston is no excep- their annual (pretend) wedding photographer. Parents were also I also had an opportunity to take encouraging time over the last 8 tion to this but they also managed in June every year at St Peter’s invited to this special occasion as a team of people into the school months building links and relation- to squeeze in a few extra activities Church. It was a privilege to be a we celebrated and learnt about the in July and present a day full of ships with the Johnston School. along the way. part of such a wonderful occasion promises that are made before God. games, teaching and craft based on Pobl Dewi, September 2013 19 Wythnos fawr ym Being there On the morning of 22nd June, over 40 people gathered in Maenclochog Community Hall for the ‘Being There’ seminar organised by the Lay Development Mhlwyf Llandysul Team. Sharon Edge reports Beth Davies reports on a momentous week in the parish of Llandysul with the arrival of the Reverend Gareth Reid and his HE aim of the morning was family in the parish and the reopening of Tre-groes church after Tto develop the level of pasto- significant renovation work ral care we are offering to our parishioners. Our speaker was Bishop John Saxbee who gave us a bril- liant insight to visiting, listening and generally ‘being there’ with compassion and empathy. His talk was punctuated with much wisdom, wit and anecdotes for all kinds of situations which made the subject more interesting to listen to and learn about. The morning was hugely successful, leaving many delegates feeling better prepared for this important area of their ministry.

New cards this year Plant Dewi has three new DIWEDD Mehefin cafwyd Peth braf oedd croesawu bilingual and one new Yr Enedigaeth wythnos fawr iawn ym cadeirydd Cyngor Cymuned Nativity English only Christmas card D Courtesy of Image By Design mhlwyf Llandysul, a’r eglwysi Llandysul i’r digwyddiad a chaf- designs this year. The cards eraill yn y fywoliaeth, wrth i ni wyd gair ganddo i longyfarch are available either from groesawu’r Parch Gareth Reid yr aelodau ar gwblhau’r proj- the Plant Dewi office tel: a’i deulu i’r ficerdy ac i’r ardal. ect mawr hwn. Rhaid diolch i 01267 221551 or from the Braf iawn yw eu cael yn Gyngor Sir Ceredigion am rodd BI_S_113006 Plant Dewi Shop at 21 King ein mysg ac fe fu’r gwasanaeth mor haelionus yn ogystal â’r Street, Carmarthen and cost trwyddedu - o dan ofal Archd- cyngor cymuned. Braf hefyd oedd £3.50 for a pack of ten cards. diacon Ceredigion, yr Hybarch gweld yr adeiladwr yn bresen- Prince of Peace Order forms are available William Strange, a’r Deon Bro, nol sef Mr David Mayes.By Annette Barnes on the Plant Dewi website: y Canon Dewi Roberts - nos Roedd yno gacen hardd a www.plantdewi.org.uk. Wener, 21 Mehefin, yn eglwys blasus iawn i ddathlu’r achly- orlawn Llandysul, yn gyfle i sur a chafodd ei thorri gan Mr groesawu llawer o westeion i’n Evan Williams a Mrs Nancy plith. Yn ogystal â’r gwasanaeth Williams. Hyfryd o beth oedd Y Daith ei hun cafwyd gwledd ychwane- bod y Parch Gareth Reid wedi The Journey Courtesy of www.image-source.co.uk gol yn y porth gyda phawb yn cyrraedd erbyn torri’r gacen ac cael amser i sgwrsio a bwyta yng yn medru dweud gair a ninnau yn Bethlehem nghwmni ffrindiau pell ac agos. yr un modd yn medru ei groe- By Yvonne Bell Arweiniodd y Parch Gareth sawu yntau. Mrs Rhian Jones Reid ei wasanaeth cyntaf yn oedd wrth yr organ a dywedodd Llandysul ar y Sul canlynol a Mr Evan Williams air. Diolchwyd hefyd yn eglwys Bangor Teifi, iddo ef hefyd am ei waith caled E_T_211137 cyn mynychu gweithgaredd ar hyd y blynyddoedd. Yn anffo- BI_N_212088 BI_S_211133 arbennig, sef te mefus a hufen, dus nid oedd Miss Nina Thomas yn neuadd eglwys Bangor wedi medru bod yn bresennol. Teifi yng nghwmni ei deulu. Yn rhyfedd iawn bu’r Ond cyn hynny hyd yn oed, gwasanaeth agoriadol yn Eglwys roedd wedi bod yn gwledda yn Tre-groes fis Mehefin, dathlwyd ysgol Tre-groes gan fod yna ddig- y canfed fis Mehefin, dathliad wyddiad pwysig iawn wedi bod y150 o flynyddoedd fis Mehefin yno’r bore hwnnw, sef ail agoriad ac yna’r ail agoriad swyddo- swyddogol yr eglwys ar ei newydd gol hwn hefyd fis Mehefin. wedd. Gwariwyd bron i hanner Mae’n diolch yn fawr iawn Forthcoming events can mil o bunnoedd ar y gwaith i bawb a gefnogodd ac sydd ac yn wir mae’r cyfan i’w weld wedi ei gwneud hi’n bosibl i ni 28th September mor hardd ar y tu allan ac ar y tu gael eglwys mor hardd, a honno Organ Crawl starting at Tenby at 10am, visiting Manorbier, St Mary’s Pembroke, Warren mewn, a hyfryd iawn oedd gweld bellach yn 155 mlwydd oed Church (the location of Mendelssohn’s house organ) and finishing in Picton Castle. yr eglwys yn llawn ar fore Sul. ond yn edrych ar ei gorau. Mae £10 for participants, £5 for observers. Doniau lleol oedd yn cymryd lle i ddiolch am y cydweithio rhan yn y gwasanaeth ac roedd hwylus a gafwyd a bydd yn wir 2nd November hi’n rhyfeddod clywed y fath yn ddiwrnod i’w gofio am byth. at St Twrog’s Church, Llanddarog, run by Stuart Robinson, the RSCM ddoniau arbennig mewn cymuned Daeth y prynhawn hyfryd Eat, Meet and Sing wledig mor fach â Thre-groes, ond hwn i ben gyda pharti arall, y Co-ordinator for Wales. This will be followed by the RSCM AGM. wrth fod undod mae hefyd nerth. tro yma ym Mangor Teifi, lle’r £5 to include hire of music and light refreshments. Diolchwyd i bawb yn wresog iawn oedd yr aelodau wedi trefnu For more information contact Mary Evans am ddod ac am gymryd rhan a gwledd, a da oedd gweld cymaint hefyd am y cyfraniadau a’r gwaith wedi troi allan ac yn ymuno i 01267 233881 caled yn paratoi’r bwyd blasus mewn yn yr hwyl a’r sbri. [email protected] a gafwyd yn yr ysgol i ddilyn. 20 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 Book Reviews Christian beliefs and ethics A superb collection The Heart’s Voice Contemporary Creed there was the occasional nod By the RSCM Millennium (Revised Edition) towards more radical or adventur- Youth Choir By John Morris ous viewpoints, it sticks largely Price: £10 from RSCM Music to conventional protestant thought Pub: Circle Books; 2012 Direct; order number B0367 and doctrine with a liberal and ISBN: 978-1-78099-079-8 Tel: 0845 021 7726 Price: £9.99 contemporary influence. There is a slight feel that he is reading back [email protected] This is an unusual book. It has into scripture what the church www.rscm.com/shop sixty short chapters, each one intro- has said it says, and not giving Also from iTunes and Spotify duced with some of the author’s enough credence to modern bibli- “Sing we merrily unto God our verse, which he then goes on to cal scholarship. It is also largely strength,” writes the Psalmist; unpack for the rest of the chap- anthropomorphic, almost refer- “make a cheerful noise unto the ter. Whilst the verse is not of huge ring to God as a larger version of God of Jacob” (Psalm 84:1). The cles themselves. Mary assents to literary merit, it serves as a way in a human being at times and for me RSCM Millennium Youth Choir’s God’s invitation to become preg- for John Morris to tackle a huge it misses the chance to present God new CD, The Heart Sings, certainly nant with the Word . . . but at what range of Christian doctrine. His as immanent, within all creation, as has plenty of merriment and cheer, an extraordinary price, as she bears style is compact and succinct, and well as transcendent. Having said alongside moving expressions of the ignominy of carrying an illegit- it is the kind of book that you need all that, it is still worth the read for passion and even lament. It’s a imate child and eventually has her to read with a Bible next to you the range and depth covered. varied and lively offering of praise soul pierced beneath the cross. And as it is peppered with references In summary, this is a very good produced by some of the most Simeon greets the baby’s arrival throughout. One thing that appealed to book to deepen one’s own under- talented young singers in Britain’s in the temple in the bittersweet His sixty chapters are divided me is that he does not try to give standing or to study in a group, churches. knowledge that he’ll not survive into nine sections, covering all the pat answers, but gives the reader with ample stimulating material for The repertoire is diverse, to see this young life come to frui- major doctrines – creation, suffer- enough meat and Bible refer- discussion in each short chapter. It including compositions based tion. Whitbourn’s settings convey ing, incarnation, Jesus’ ministry, ences to follow up any questions does not have all the answers, but on Psalms and other passages of the cost of Mary’s soul magnifying atonement, resurrection, the Trin- that are raised. You may not agree gives a well-reasoned discussion of Scripture, canticles, ancient hymns the Lord, of Simeon seeing God’s ity, scripture and Christian living. with him, but it gets you thinking! the issues, problems and concerns and prayers. There are well-known salvation; as the singers rose to the Because of his concise, and some- I thought his section on the resur- of Christian life and belief. Within names among the composers, such final crescendo, I found myself in times terse, style of writing, he rection was particularly good, a slim volume, John Morris has as John Rutter and Sidney Camp- tears. manages to cover many differ- presenting many different opinions set out a range of thought that you bell, along with a few lesser known If there is a less glorious ent approaches while also giving and ways of considering it. would normally only find in much figures, and most of the composi- moment in the recording, it is his own preferred understanding To give some critical comment, larger, thicker and more expen- tions are recorded for the first time perhaps the playful (but jarring) of the various issues. He accepts there was little input in his thought sive volumes, for which he is to be on this CD – so there’s something organ solo Live Wire. It reminded the evolutionary viewpoint and from any mystical theology, and congratulated. here for most tastes. me of the days when organists weaves in many references to it is largely from a rational, mate- There are some real gems on would tootle around on a Mighty modern science and cosmology. rialist, western world view. While Revd Don MacGregor this recording, but I must admit Wurlitzer during the silent movies; to being particularly swept away it may have an appeal for some, but by James Whitbourn’s comple- I’m not convinced it adds anything mentary settings of the Magnificat much to this CD. An excellent example and Nunc Dimittis. The soaring, Still, that’s a small quibble. mournful melodies could have been Overall the graceful voices of the of what can be achieved drawn straight from the synagogue singers and the excellent qual- and remind the listener powerfully ity of the compositions combine of the deeply Jewish character of to produce a superb collection Stained Glass Windows in and dedications which allows the these Christian canticles. There is that brings great delight and some Llanfihangel Genau’r Glyn glass to be considered in a wider such a sense of hope being held prayerful moments. Highly recom- Church context of social history. The in the midst of great suffering and mended, as a gift or for yourself! By Martin Crampin windows can be seen to be not loss – which, of course, reflects Revd Chris Webb Pub: Wendall Publications; only a visual reminder of Christian the experience behind the canti- 2013 values and virtues and of Biblical ISBN 978-0-95669-231-3 stories and characters but also as £5 inc p&p testament to members of congrega- tions, respected clergy, local and, e-mail dr_avril_thomas@ in the case of war memorials found yahoo.co.uk Disclaimer in many locations, world events. tel: 01970 820798 This book provides an excel- Pobl Dewi and the diocese of St Davids take no responsibility, As a rule, if one were to look at lent example of what can be liability or share the views or opinions of any articles guide books or printed matter achieved when church groups are contained herein. available in most churches, one prepared to research church records All information is the responsibility of the person or would probably find a wealth of and other available archives and organisation submitting the article. information on the architecture, employ the expertise of some- Pobl Dewi take no responsibility for any errors or omissions. stages of building and rebuilding, one like Martin Crampin, who is fixtures and fittings but only a pass- a first class photographer of glass ing mention if any of stained glass. remains far from comprehensive. and recognised as an authority on Works by major makers such as The book produced by stained glass in Wales. The book Contributions to Pobl Dewi William Morris or surviving medi- Martin Crampin is therefore most provides a format/template which We welcome articles of interest from readers and, in particular, eval glass may warrant mention, welcome as a fully comprehensive other churches of all denominations but most of the glass will be omit- guide to the stained glass at Llan- should be encouraged to consider we would like to encourage submission of articles in Welsh. ted or, at best, receive cursory fihangel Genau’r Glyn church. and emulate, and is a significant Articles should be sent to the Managing Editor: Tessa Briggs, mention. This is true not only of Well researched and with excellent contribution to the recording and [email protected] locally produced guides but also photography, it provides a chrono- study of stained glass in Wales. or they can be posted to: of publications such as the ‘Build- logical record of the stained glass Alun Adams ings of Wales’ series of county but also goes many steps further Pobl Dewi, architectural history. To be fair, the to provide detailed information on The Diocesan Office, Abergwili, Carmarthen SA31 2JG, latter has improved in recent years subject matter, iconography, dates, marked for the attention of ‘The Editor’ but the recording of stained glass designers and studios, inscriptions