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Home , Bargoed, Bishop of Llandaff, Fagan (saint), June Osborne

Esgobaeth LLANDAF Diocese of

YR EGLWYS YNG NGHYMRU | THE CHURCH IN Autumn 2017

Bishop June enthroned Inside Enthronement picture special Welcoming a refugee family NEWS

ByCan the Revd Gethinthe Rhys, church National Assembly get Policy Officerto grips for Cytun with Brexit?

Brexit negotiations have begun, and so different set-up from the EU itself far they – like the referendum – have and not directly affected by the created more heat than light. referendum). This raises wider The churches of Wales, including issues around freedom of religion the , decided after the and other human rights and how vote in June 2016 to work together they are respected in the future UK. on responding to this new situation • The future of rural Wales, especially for our nation. A working party, with with regard to hill farming and meat participation by all member churches of exports, and the possibility of more Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales) has cheap food imports from outside met regularly and responded to some the EU. public consultations. You can read more • The sense that funds designated at: www.cytun.cymru/waleseurope. by the EU have been spent in Listening to church members is communities whose inhabitants central, and concerns raised have churches – as to their future once have had no say, and that we been reflected in what we have written. the UK has left the EU. must learn from those mistakes. This autumn we are beginning a series • Worries about the rise in hate This is quite an agenda, and goes of public get-togethers across Wales crimes of all kinds after the well beyond Brexit itself. We want to to listen to people’s hopes, fears, and referendum. These seem to have hear from who would like to aspirations. subsided, but there are many take part in this conversation – contact Among the issues we want to explore who now feel less secure in our Gethin Rhys of Cytûn (gethin@cytun. are: society than they once did. cymru) if you are interested. • The uncertainty faced by European • Our human rights legislation and How immigration has shaped the Union citizens living in Wales – involvement in the European development of as a multi- many of whom are associated with Convention on Human Rights (a cultural city: Page 16

GanAll y Parch. yr Gethin eglwys Rhys, Swyddog fyndPolisi’r Cynulliad i’r Cenedlaethol afael i Cytûnâ Brexit?

Mae trafodaethau Brexit wedi cychwyn, dinasyddion Ewropeaidd sy’n byw mynydd ac allforion cig, a’r a hyd yma – fel yn achos y refferendwm yng Nghymru – llawer ohonynt yn posibilrwydd y mewnforir mwy o – mae fel petaent yn creu mwy o wres ein heglwysi – ynghylch eu dyfodol fwyd rhad o’r tu allan i’r UE. nac o oleuni. unwaith i’r Deyrnas Unedig adael • Ymdeimlad fod arian o gronfeydd Wedi’r bleidlais ym Mehefin 2016, yr UE. yr UE wedi eu gwario mewn penderfynodd eglwysi Cymru, yn • Gofid am y cynnydd mewn cymunedau heb i’r bobl sy’n byw cynnwys yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, troseddau casineb wedi’r yno gymryd rhan yn y drafodaeth, gydweithio ar ymateb i’r sefyllfa newydd refferendwm. Mae’n ymddangos ac y dylem ddysgu o’r hon ar gyfer ein cenedl. Mae Gweithgor i’r rhain leihau eto, ond mae llawer camgymeriadau hyn. sy’n cwmpasu holl aelod eglwysi Cytûn bellach yn teimlo’n llai diogel yn ein Mae hyn yn dipyn o (Eglwysi Ynghyd yng Nghymru) wedi cymdeithas nag yr oeddent. agenda, yn mynd tu cyfarfod yn rheolaidd ac ymateb i rai o’r • Ein deddfwriaeth hawliau dynol hwnt i Brexit ei hun. ymgynghoriadau cyhoeddus. Gallwch a’n hymwneud â’r Confensiwn Rydym am glywed gan ddarllen mwy ar: www.cytun.cymru/ Ewropeaidd am Hawliau blwyfi a hoffai gymryd cymruewrop. Dynol (trefn wahanol i’r Undeb rhan yn y sgwrs hon – Mae gwrando ar aelodau’n heglwysi Ewropeaidd, a heb ei effeithio’n cysylltwch â Gethin Rhys, yn ganolog, ac mae’r pryderon a uniongyrchol gan y refferendwm). Cytûn (gethin@cytun. godwyd wedi eu hadlewyrchu yn yr hyn Mae’n codi cwestiynau ehangach cymru) os oes diddordeb a sgrifennwyd. Yr hydref yma, byddwn am ryddid crefyddol a’n hawliau gennych. yn cychwyn cyfres o gyfleoedd i wrando dynol eraill a sut gânt eu parchu Sut mae mewnfudo ar obeithion, ofnau a disgwyliadau pobl. mewn Teyrnas Unedig ar ei wedi llunio datblygiad Ymhlith y materion yr hoffem eu newydd wedd. Caerdydd i fod yn ddinas harchwilio mae: • Dyfodol y Gymru wledig, yn aml-ddiwylliannol: • Yr ansicrwydd sy’n wynebu enwedig ynghylch ffermydd Tudalen 16

2 | CROESO Autumn 2017 NEWS

Goodbye to the old and hello to the new “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”

For me and my family, it has been whilst I might carry with me a degree popular ways we express the making of a summer of new things and I want of wisdom and skills I am short on a new Christian at baptism is by putting to express a huge thank you for the knowledge, and my new habits ought on new clothing: an idea originating welcome we have enjoyed as we’ve to grow out of listening to those who from the New Testament where we are moved into Llandaff. You have been do know. Fortunately, you have an encouraged to “clothe ourselves with warm and generous in that welcome, abundance of information about how Christ”. which has been a simply wonderful parishes, ministry areas, chaplaincies, So whilst new experiences may gift. I have taken and individual demand quite a lot of us we are also especial delight in communities work. in the business of making things reading the profiles “For me and my family, It is also required new, seeing the world through of each which it has been a summer of of us that we commit the prism of the Christian faith you have written to what is new. I and confidently commending that for me and which new things and I want to was struck recently abundant life to others. In doing that have given me a express a huge thank you by how many the Church in Wales is constantly flavour of the unique mythological and facing new circumstances. In 1851, character of each of for the welcome we have biblical narratives the National Census reported that our communities. speak of the dire 57% of people in Wales attended As you might enjoyed as we’ve moved consequences of church on Sunday. Now, roughly the expect I have been into Llandaff. ” looking back, from same percentage say they have ‘no pondering the Orpheus to Lot’s religion’. Then the focus was on a experience of new wife. I leave behind weekly gathering around the bible, altar things, including a new ministry, as many happy and fulfilling years as and fellowship. Now our neighbours live we have swapped our familiar life in in Salisbury but know that each in a more episodic fashion - what they the Cathedral Close of Salisbury for one of us as a Christian is called to do this week they won’t necessarily do our home and my working life on the look forwards, for the next week. Worship Cathedral Green in Llandaff. God we worship and “Our message is eternal, on the day of New things bring about a rather serve goes ahead of resurrection will contradictory mixture of exhilaration us and calls us to new our sacramental and always be at the and anxiety. I have no doubt that God challenges. So I am pastoral ministry is core of our life, but has called me into the role of of now entirely committed there are already this diocese, yet to take up that call, I had to the flourishing of rightly traditional, yet many parishes to leave behind a job I knew extremely our diocese and my creatively engaging, well and say goodbye to a team of first priority is to know our responsibility is to especially with young people who knew me intimately. That the diocese and to be present the gospel afresh people and children, transition is both exciting and daunting. known. in new ways. New opportunities also involve an The New Testament to each generation.” There are many immense amount of upheaval! I haven’t speaks of how God, such questions for found anyone who wanted to tell me who we see most clearly in the face of us about how we “make things new”. Our that moving house was enjoyable, Jesus Christ, is bringing about a “new message is eternal, our sacramental and and many admitted to avoiding it at all creation”. The created world we are pastoral ministry is rightly traditional, costs. Embracing the new involves the all used to inhabiting takes on a new yet our responsibility is to present the cost of disturbing your peace. perspective, new priorities and we are gospel afresh to each generation. I am Similarly, responding to the new given new resources through our faith so much looking forward to learning requires us to adapt. Old habits are not in Jesus. For instance, we celebrate how to do that with you as I begin my necessarily going to serve us well in a that reality of “making things new” in new ministry. fresh context. I am very conscious that each and every baptism. One of the +June

CROESO Autumn 2017 | 3 FEATURE Putting faith into action

Llandaff Deanery is working together to welcome and resettle a Syrian refugee family. Philippa Haughton, a member of the core team of 1Family Cardiff, explains more:

When Llandaff Area Dean, the Revd are united in our goal to resettle a Syrian UK government is working closely with Michael John, heard that it was possible refugee family among us. We hope to the UNHCR to identify vulnerable Syrians to work with Citizens Cymru Wales to welcome the family by this Christmas. in need of resettlement. help settle a Syrian refugee family, he felt This is vital work. Syria hit the news The Parish of Caerau with Ely has strongly that this was an opportunity to last year as hundreds of thousands fled already welcomed Syrian refugee love and to live out our faith in a practical their homes in wake of the conflict. families, who arrived in 2015 as part of way. This number is overwhelming, and it is the government’s Vulnerable Persons 1FamilyCardiff, led by Linda James easy to be lulled into indifference because Relocation Scheme. (who worships at Christ Church in the situation seems insurmountable. Our Sponsorship is slightly Radyr), is the cross-deanery group that action is but a drop in the ocean, but we different, in that it empowers community was formed in November 2016 to make believe that by helping one family at least, groups to become directly involved the idea a reality. we can make an enormous difference to in planning for, welcoming and then There are 12 of us on the core team, their lives. In doing so, we are making supporting a resettled Syrian family in the each responsible for an element of new friendships and discovering new UK. Community Sponsorship specifically the project, from communications to community and fellowship within our encourages innovation in resettlement, fundraising, safeguarding to housing. deanery. and aims to transform the lives of We are men and women from across the 1FamilyCardiff, with the help of resettled families and local communities. deanery, of varying ages and vocations, Citizens Cymru Wales, is reaching Sponsorship is a significant surrounded by a group of enthusiastic out to a refugee family through the undertaking and 1FamilyCardiff will supporters and parish champions who Community Sponsorship scheme. The be responsible for the resettled family

How our deaneries and parishes are working with Citizens Cymru Wales

As Christians, we are often quick to organise ourselves in order to change respond to the immediate needs of the world so that it can be fashioned people in our communities – whether according to God’s will. The God of Jesus, for food or friendship, gifts or acts of as well as the God of the Old Testament, is service. But we are called to do more concerned not just with our souls but with than just works of mercy, as Jonathan every aspect of human life.” Cox of Citizens Cymru Wales explains Yet how do we ‘organise ourselves’ (to here… use the former Archbishop Barry’s words) A little before the launch of Citizens to change the world around us? Citizens Cymru Wales, in 2014, the then Cymru Wales is an alliance of civil society Archbishop Desmond Tutu Archbishop preached organisations – churches, schools, sets out the challenge nicely: a sermon at on mosques, trades unions and community “There comes a point where we the theme of Christian engagement in groups – who take action together for need to stop just pulling people campaigns for social justice. He said: social justice and the common good. out of the river. We need to go “Christians, if they are to be true to the We train people to be more effective upstream and find out why Bible and to Jesus, have to get involved community leaders, able to identify social they’re falling in.” in the life and death issues of our day and injustice in their neighbourhoods and

4 | CROESO Autumn 2017 “Community Sponsorship ……empowers community groups to become directly involved in planning for, welcoming and then supporting a resettled Syrian family in the UK. ”

for up to 2 years. Once our application financial support from the government the benefits system in Wales to support is approved by the Home Office, the once they are here, we also anticipate the family through registration. We also UNHCR will match us with a refugee needing a small budget for contingencies. appreciate your prayers. family. It is a lot of work, but we are drawing If you’d like to get in touch with us We will meet the family at the airport, on the skills and passions of our – to offer support, advice or just to find provide a warm welcome and cultural members and the wider community. out a bit more – our email address is orientation, provide housing, support We have made progress with finding [email protected]. We can be their access to medical and social a house for the family, and we are close found on Twitter @1FamilyCardiff, and services, give them English language to our fundraising target. Parishes and on Facebook search for 1FamilyCardiff. tuition, and support them towards individuals have been very generous employment and self-sufficiency. in donations. Christ Church, Radyr In 2016, the UN identified In order for the Home Office to organised a spectacular evening of songs 13.5 million Syrians requiring approve our bid, we need to prove that of praise, while St. Catwg’s, Pentrych humanitarian assistance, of we have sufficient resources (housing, hosted a delicious afternoon tea. whom 4.8 million are refugees financial and personal); a credible plan If you’d like to get involved, there’s outside of Syria. for supporting the resettled family, lots that you can do! backed by relevant experience; a robust We are still in need of Arabic safeguarding policy; local authority translators and people with ESOL consent; £4,500 per adult, held as a qualifications, as well as people with Prayer for 1 Family Cardiff bond in trust. While the family will receive knowledge of the medical system, and I had no home, and you gave me shelter; I was a stranger, and you welcomed me’ – Jesus, Matthew 25. then take action to deal with the cause of provision in the town centre – which really the problem, not just treat the symptoms. is heeding Archbishop Barry’s call to Almighty, eternal God, As well as supporting the engage with ‘every aspect of human life’! source of all compassion, 1FamilyCardiff team to resettle a Syrian The has been a the promise of your mercy family, Citizens Cymru Wales has strategic partner of Citizens Cymru Wales fills us with hope. helped Fr Dean Atkins (St Mary’s parish, since it formed in 2014 and our team of Hear the cries Butetown) to launch a Community Jobs community organisers are available to of the people of Syria, Compact giving local young people help you, your parish, Ministry Area or and through your Spirit a better chance of a good job. It has Deanery to run a campaign on an issue help us to respond also trained leaders from the Rectorial that matters to you. in solidarity and love, Benefice of Barry to persuade their We won’t run the campaign for you – through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. council to raise the wages of over a but we will train and support groups of thousand low-paid kitchen assistants, people to do it for themselves. God our Saviour, cleaners, and breakfast club supervisors. If you are interested in putting your empower and encourage us Leaders from the Deanery faith into action, please contact jonathan. to be your people. are working with Citizens Cymru Wales [email protected] or call 07919 Bless and guide to explore the issue of public toilet 484066. the work of One Family Cardiff, that in reaching out to those who have lost everything, we may honour in them the presence of your Son, Jesus our Lord. Amen.

CROESO Autumn 2017 | 5 AROUND THE DIOCESE Around the Diocese Flower festival raises thousands for Marie Curie

A Cardiff church has donated more than £3,500 to a terminal illness charity, after holding a flower festival which welcomed nearly 1,000 people over four days. In celebration of 60 years at St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff, Eglwys Dewi Sant held a Flower Festival in June. The festival sought to reflect the Volunteers host Great lives of Celtic in floral displays by church members, flower clubs, and other churches and chapels in and Big Walk team around Cardiff. In total, the festival raised £7,100, The Welsh team of the Great Big Walk stopped off for lunch at with £3,600 being donated to Marie St Gwladys Church Hall, Bargoed, to shine a light on how its Curie and other monies raised going to the church. volunteers are helping the community. The Revd Dyfrig Lloyd, Vicar of Dewi Sant, said, “It was an amazing festival The aim of the Great Big Walk, which as this, set up and run by local people, and the response exceeded all our was held in June, was to bring people and to shine a light on them, celebrating expectations. The displays were truly together and celebrate community. Five them and sharing their experiences with wonderful and were a tribute to the teams trekked across the UK over 21 others.” dedication of our organising committee days, visiting community groups along Steven Kirk, Area Dean of and the enthusiasm of teams that the way. It ended with the Great Big Merthyr Tydfil and , praised supported us.” Lunch. the work of the staff and volunteers at The three members of team Wales, St Gwladys Church Hall. St Gwladys led by Richard Parry from Penarth, Church was without a when the chatted to the volunteers who run a Revd Jonathan Widdess left in March. range of activities at St Gwladys Church “I am very grateful to the staff, Hall, including a parent and toddler volunteers, church wardens and PCC club, a dementia café, an IT workshop, members who have taken responsibility a women’s group and a debt centre. during this interregnum, supporting “Our communities are full of ordinary the different projects and keeping people going that extra mile to do them going,” he said. “There is a huge extraordinary things for each other,” amount of commitment here to the said Richard. “It’s been really exciting community and a strong desire to help for us to visit amazing projects, such those in particular need.”

New £500,000 church community centre to be built – Skewen

Work on an exciting new £500,000 funding from the Welsh government, was no longer enough to expect people project to breathe fresh life into a South coupled with £194,000 raised through to come to Church. The Church must Wales community is due to start this the sale of assets, means that work on come to the people, because after all Autumn - after it won a major investment the project can now start. that is the message of the Gospel. boost. The Revd Chris Coles said, “We “There is a great sense of isolation The Parish of Skewen near Neath realised that it was not a new church that in this community with many feeling plans to build an innovative new was needed for the site but a resource disconnected, but this new centre will community centre on the site of the centre that could answer the needs of provide a place for people to meet and former St Mary’s Church in Compton the local community. What has emerged interact with others – it will help put the Road. The securing of £300,000 of is a new vision of ‘Church’. We felt that it heart back into the community.”

6 | CROESO Autumn 2017 Going the extra mile

Two who have been bitten by the long-distance cycling bug have slipped into gear again.

Father Richard Green, Vicar of and travelled from Chester down to St , and Father Ben Andrews, Barry. of Barry, saddled up to raise On their most recent trips, Fr Richard money for their parishes. was raising money for repair works to Fr Richard travelled 400 miles from two of his churches and for new hymn Fishguard to Greenwich in East London books and heating for the hall at the over seven days, while Fr Ben set off third. Fr Ben meanwhile was cycling in from St Davids and arrived back in aid of the new roof at All Saints Barry. Barry three days and 150 miles later. The priests say that their interest in Two years ago Fr Richard cycled these long-distance rides comes from steam, and of course it’s good exercise from Holyhead a number of things. “It’s a great way as well”, he added. to Cardiff over to see different parts of the country”, The pair both agree that it’s a good five days, while said Fr Richard. “Normally you go from way to raise funds for worthwhile Fr Ben pedalled A to B the quickest way possible, by causes, whether inside or outside of the from Port Talbot car or train, but on the bike you can parish. They are already planning their to Bethlehem in take your time and really enjoy your next adventures: Fr Richard hopes to Camarthenshire surroundings”. travel from his home parish of Aberdare in one day last “The personal challenge is of course to Walsingham next year in time for the September. The a key part of it”, said Fr Ben. “It’s a annual South Wales pilgrimage, while pair also joined great sense of achievement to see Fr Ben is still thinking of the next big forces last year how far you can travel under your own ride. Having fun messing around in a barn

Members of three churches in a Vale alternates between the three villages Pudding during the normal church parish have joined together to set up a with meetings held in a village hall, a service on ‘Stir up’ Sunday new Messy Church. church and a barn. with each member making their It was nearly two years ago that Messy Church centres around adults individual Christmas pudding to church members in the parish of and children gathering together to do take home. Colwinston, Llandow and Llysworney arts and crafts, enjoy a short story, • The acting out of the theme of decided to set up the venture after song or prayer and then share a meal. new beginnings when John the being inspired by a training session Encouraged by the first Messy Baptist (alias the Revd Alan Kettle) run by Mrs Lesley Cox, the regional Church held in Colwinston Village Hall performed a succession of mock co-ordinator for Messy Church in the in January 2016 – the sessions have baptisms. diocese. been held twice a term since. Highlights • And the summer session to And appropriately enough for their have included: celebrate Pentecost, the birthday rural setting, their Messy Church • The stirring of a giant Christmas of the church and the descent of the Holy Spirit, was held in an open barn where activities could be totally ‘messy’ and there was plenty of room to run around. Pamela Haines said, “It has been a delight to witness the fun that families have enjoyed together as they create crafts reflecting different stories from the Bible. Messy Church has attracted adults and children who do not normally attend formal church but who have discovered the joy which fellowship can bring into their lives.” Messy Church meets twice a term on a Sunday. For more information please contact Pamela Haines (pmhaines@ btinternet.com 01656 654330)

CROESO Autumn 2017 | 7 © Pictures courtesy © Pictures of Huw Ryden

Llandaff welcomes Bishop June at her enthronement service

More than 500 people packed into Llandaff She told the packed congregation that Cathedral to welcome their new bishop at her most of her strategies would be to ‘empower enthronement service. and strengthen the impact of the local church.’ Bishop , the 72nd Bishop However, before the service held on of Llandaff, spoke of her passion for pastoral Saturday, July 22nd began, as part of an ministry within a local context, as she ancient tradition, Bishop June had to request delivered the sermon in one of her first duties permission to enter the cathedral by knocking as bishop after taking her seat – or throne at three times with her staff on the west door. Llandaff Cathedral.

8 | CROESO Autumn 2017 “I believe truly, madly and deeply in pastoral ministry within a local context. You may sometimes hear me described as a ‘strategic leader’ but most of my strategies will be to empower and strengthen the impact of the local church in what the Church in Wales does best, sacramental life in the public and pastoral life of families and communities. That begins with shaping the imagination of our neighbours.”

CROESO Autumn 2017 | 9 FEATURE ©Angela Hewitt ©Angela

Consecration service Bishop June Osborne – the second woman bishop in Wales – was consecrated at a service in .

The of the Church in Wales met in Sacred Synod to confirm the appointment on the eve of the service held on July 15. The address was given by the , Nicholas Holtam, and the Gospel was read by Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the USA, who was the ’s first woman primate. ©Angela Hewitt ©Angela ©Angela Hewitt ©Angela

10 | CROESO Autumn 2017 SCHOOL NEWS

MessagesPut it preserved on the on roof slate slates

The parishioners at St James’s Church enthusiasm of the pupils and staff at in Wick are inviting the local community Wick and Marcross Church in Wales to ‘put it on the slate’, but no one will Primary whose messages have been be going into debt or owing any money. inspirational.” Instead villagers are being asked The re-roofing of St James’s Church to write their prayers and personal is a major project and has been made messages on the underside of slates, possible thanks to the generosity as the is re-roofed, with of local people. St James’s Church work on the project well underway. Council is also very grateful to the grant- The new roof is expected to keep making bodies who have supported the the church wind and weather-tight project, including the Listed Places for the next century and more, so the of Worship Repair Fund, the National messages on the slates will provide a Churches Trust, the Bishop Radford unique insight into the community of Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and the Wick in 2017, for future generations. All Churches Trust. If you would like to During a fundraising garden party in ‘put it on the slate’ please visit www. the summer almost 100 people wrote wickchurch.wales. their messages on the slates – with • Children from Wick and Marcross more being added since. Church in Wales Primary School Parish priest, Father Craig Vaughan have provided the introduction to said, “The garden party was an a new website launched by the excellent event that helped towards church. A short video clip shows raising funds for the re-roofing and to them at work in the school and in gain momentum for the idea of ‘putting the church. They will be reporting it on the slate’ within our growing on the progress of repairs to us. There is going to be a lot of village community and the surrounding the church. Mrs Ceri Thomas, activity over the next two years area. What is wonderful as well is headteacher at the school, said, and the children are keen to be to have the continued support and “The church is very important to part of the project.”

Church project lets children leave their mark Pupils from St Nicholas Church in Wales the roofers putting the slates with their The roof was Primary School took part in a project messages onto the church roof. repaired after a that will let them leave their mark on Local community councillor and fundraising campaign their church for hopefully hundreds of church treasurer Kevin Fuller said: “This involving the local years. is a great example of the church, local community council. As the church roof was being community and school working together Grants were also replaced, pupils were given the to provide a unique opportunity which received from the opportunity to personalise a slate I hope will be an enduring memory for Government funded and see them installed at St Nicholas the children who took part. In future Listed Places of Church. years they can tell their own families Worship: Roof The church received funding to carry about the messages that they have on Repair Fund, the All out vital roofing and weatherproofing the roof of St Nicholas Church.” Churches Trust, the works last year. Work was carried out Headley Trust, the Welsh Church Act by local contractor Camilleri Roofing fund administered by the Vale Council and managed by Morgan Horowskyj and the Church in Wales. Architects, who both agreed it was a “Our historic grade II listed church good idea to involve the local primary is now safe and watertight and we can school in the project. look forward to starting the next phase Stefan Horowskyj gave a short talk of our plans to carry out internal repairs

©Angela Hewitt ©Angela about the slates at the church and and improvements to make more use of their origins before the children were the internal space for wider community asked to leave messages on them. use,” he added. The children were then able to watch

CROESO Autumn 2017 | 11 NEWS

RunWhen Kate Lawless away decided to take success part in Kidney Wales’ fundraising 10k, little did she think that a whole team of supporters would be mobilised into action.

From keen runners to beginners and And within days of signing up fundraising drive included an Afternoon complete non-runners, friends and herself – Kate was joined by a team Tea event held in Llandaff Cathedral in colleagues decided to support Kate and of family, friends and colleagues from July which alone raised £500. join her on the popular September race the diocesan office in Coychurch. The Kate said, “People have been around the streets of Cardiff – raising congratulating me on this achievement, more than £3,000 for their efforts. however I’m a firm believer in you are It was just over a year ago that the only as good as the people supporting Care of Churches officer was given you. I am overwhelmed and humbled the gift of life by her mother Jill when with the amount of support that’s she needed a kidney transplant after been given, whether it’s people joining suffering renal failure. Inspired by the the run, baking cakes, attending the surgeons and nurses who looked after Afternoon Tea, or giving generous her, Kate decided to take part in the donations. I’m truly in awe of my race to raise money for Kidney Wales. amazing team!”

Walking with God Overseas links “For one day only the Labyrinth will be If you’d like the Diocesan Spirituality Parishes and schools are being urged to in St David’s Church, Tonyrefail” – that Group to organise a day or half-day consider setting up mini-links with their was the statement that prompted much with the Labyrinth, please contact Annie counterparts in Bangladesh. curiosity in the parish of Tonyrefail. Jenkins on [email protected] The call from Llandaff Diocese’s The resource was utilised by the Tel: 029 2221 0991 World Mission officer, the Revd Chris parish through the Diocesan Spirituality Reaney, follows the devastating floods Group to help parishioners in their Broaden and deepen your faith that hit Bangladesh and other parts of prayer life during the ‘Thy Kingdom Asia recently. The Llandaff Diocesan Spirituality Come’ initiative earlier this year. In Links between the Church of Group will be running the next Exploring addition to the Labyrinth sessions, the Bangladesh and Llandaff Diocese have Spiritual Awareness course monthly on parish organised a prayer walk and set been forged over the last six years Saturdays from October. up prayer stations in the churches. since a Companion Link or ‘twinning’ The 10-month course covers topics “People had been told that to get the arrangement was set up in 2011. including knowing yourself, listening most out of the experience they should “Please pray for Bangladesh and its skills, challenges of prayer, bereavement walk around the labyrinth slowly treating church at this time of crisis but please and identity, young people and what is a it as a prayer journey. It is a chance to also think how you and your parish call or vocation. take a walk with God,” said Canon Ruth can support the Link in the future. We It will be held at All Saints Church, Moverley. are always looking to foster ‘mini-links’ Southerndown, starting on Saturday, “In all thirty people took part between parishes or between schools,” October 14, and costs £115. Application throughout the day and everyone said Mr Reaney. forms and further details can be responded positively to the experience.” If you would like the World Mission obtained from the LDSG secretary, the Officer to come and talk to your PCC, Revd Moira Spence on 01656 881960 or Mothers Union or parish group please [email protected] get in touch via • Next year’s Llandaff Diocesan c.reaney350@ Festival of Prayer will be held at St btinternet.com or Teilo’s School, Llandedyrn on July 14. 01656 734142. • The Bishop of Dhaka, Bishop Paul Sarker, Can you offer a listening ear? assisted in Volunteers are needed to visit inmates at listener. Bishop June’s Cardiff Prison. Training is given and expenses are consecration The role involves visiting prisoners offered. For more information please and attended her who do not have visits from family and contact the chaplain Revd Nick Sandford enthronement. friends and wish to speak to an impartial at [email protected]

12 | CROESO Autumn 2017 NEWS ©Media Wales Ltd ©Media Wales

Cathedral undergoes vital repair work As vast scaffolding towers are being erected inside Llandaff Cathedral to allow essential repair work, we took a look behind the scenes. Special report by cathedral architect Izaak Hudson.

“Over the next few months repairs to the As scaffolding costs are substantial, stainless steel angle sections will be nave, choir area and west front of the it will make sense to do as much work installed to hold the existing brass cathedral will be taking place, funded as possible while it is in place. So, the spigots against the stone reveals, and by the Welsh Government’s Historic clerestory windows will be repaired and this will avoid dismantling the windows Environment Agency, Cadw, and the cleaned as part of the project. (a very expensive process). The plain Friends of Llandaff Cathedral. At present, the windows rattle with glazing also needs a thorough clean During the reconstruction of 1859 wind pressure and when the organ inside and out, and this will be done the Bathstone shafts at Clerestory level is played, which in turn can lead to carefully with cotton swabs. were repaired using iron cramps that tied cracking of the glass. This is due to In addition to this, stained sections in the surrounding stonework. In 1941 loose spigots which were introduced of the 1953 hardwood ceiling will be the Cathedral sustained considerable during the 1950’s restoration. New removed in areas that can be accessed, damage after a Nazi bombing raid and it along with render that will also be was left without a roof. During this time, repaired and re-decorated. moisture got into the stonework and The project includes a training as corroding iron expands, this caused programme of five three-week training corrosion and the stone to split. blocks for trainees who are considering Each of the 96 internal detached a career in building conservation. shafts will be carefully dismantled to Scaffolds is being erected in phases remove the embedded ironwork and between June and November 2017 repair the stonework. New stainless and from January to April 2018, with steel cramps and dowels will be breaks for key events and festivals in inserted, and the shaft stones will be the cathedral. The work will mean some repaired and reinstated in their original disruption to visitor access and services positions. The surrounding stonework at times, and this will be communicated will have a light clean to remove the to visitors and the local community worst excesses of carbon encrustation. throughout the project.”

Caption competition Thank you for all your entries to the Please send in your captions for caption competition. Remember this photograph to Alison Young, the picture from the last edition? Croeso, Llandaff Diocese, The First place went to Liz Richfield for Court, Coychurch, Bridgend, CF35 “Communion wine tastings always 5HF or by email to alisonyoung@ proved popular”. churchinwales.org.uk

CROESO Autumn 2017 | 13 COMINGS & GOINGS

Tim Sanger is the Parsonage Board Inspector and is based in the diocesan office at Coychurch, Bridgend. He has been in post for nearly five years and is responsible for planning and organising repairs to parsonages.

Q What’s the best thing about your A Diocesan helicopter! job? A Working with very friendly staff, and Q What’s the most unusual thing you Debbie’s tea. have had to do as part of your job? A As a surveyor in a previous life I had Q What’s the worst thing about your to carry out a commercial valuation job? and survey of a massage parlour! A Deadlines, moving dates, and an enormous amount of driving. Q If you were a biscuit what would you be? Q Name one thing that you think would A Chocolate hobnob, but I am partial Take Five help make the diocese run better? to a ginger nut! New era for training in Llandaff Llandaff Diocese’s former Lay Training “I am delighted to have been officer Julie Davies is the new St appointed to this role. For a long time Padarn’s Tutor in Llandaff. I have felt called to a role within the Julie, who is married to Father Church in Wales that enables me to Martyn Davies, Area Dean of the Vale work with both lay and ordained people The St Padarn’s Institute was set of , joined the diocese as its to develop discipleship and ministry,” up last year to lead all ministry training Lay Training Officer in July 2015, and said Julie. in the Church in Wales. As an all-Wales switched roles earlier this year. A former nurse and teacher, Julie institute, it delivers courses at sites In her new post she is responsible previously worked as a trainer for across the country. for training for ministry and discipleship Consult Capital in Cardiff, delivering Julie can be contacted by email at for ordained and lay people within the health and safety training across South [email protected] and diocese. Wales. 07469 853908.

Appointments Leaving A new Team Church, last month. Rhian Care of Churches Vicar has been moves to Llandaff from the officerMrs Sarah licensed in the Diocese where she held the Bishop’s Perons has left Rectorial Benefice Permission to Officiate. the diocese to of . The The new Chair of the Llandaff Diocesan study for an MSc Revd Victoria Board of Finance in Computing and Ashley, formerly is Michael Lawley IT Management at priest-in-charge and Ministry Area – Chairman of Cardiff University. She left last month Leader designate of the benefice of property firm Cooke after 12 years in post. Cwmbran in the Monmouth Diocese, and Arkwright. A The Revd Tom was licensed in a special service at Holy chartered surveyor Bates of the Cross Church, Cowbridge, last month. by profession, he Rectorial Benefice She takes over from Father Edward takes over from Paul Marshall, who of and Owen who has moved to Margam. retired in August after 13 years. Caerphilly has The Revd Rhian Prime has been Mr Lawley said he was “both left the diocese licensed as the new honoured and humbled” to take over following his Team Vicar in the the Chair saying, “There is a strong and appointment as Team Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice diverse membership on the DBF and I parish of St Mary with of Llantwit Major. look forward to working with my fellow Llanwenarth, Abergavenny Holy She was licensed board members over the coming years Trinity, and as Sub- to the during a special in the interests of the diocese, its people Holywell Community in the diocese of service at St Illtud’s and its clergy.” Monmouth.

14 | CROESO Autumn 2017 COMINGS & GOINGS

Former research scientist is Bishop’s new Chaplain A cleric who worked as a research scientist before training for is to take up a new role as Chaplain to the .

It will be a return to living on the Youth Chaplain in 2012. and went on to do a PhD at Cardiff Cathedral Green for the Revd Dr The daughter of a priest, Sarah grew University, working as a research Sarah Rogers whose father the Very up in a vicarage and moved around scientist for many years, particularly Revd John Rogers retired as Dean of South Wales with her family living in focusing on Salmon Development, Llandaff in 1999. the parishes of Caldicot, Monmouth, Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, Heart Dr Rogers, 44, has been appointed Ebbw Vale and finally Llandaff. Disease & Atherosclerosis. She has a as Chaplain by Bishop June Osborne It was while her father was Dean three-year-old Collie called Rowan. and will be based at the Bishop’s office of Llandaff that Sarah lived on the Dr Rogers said, “I was delighted to in Llandaff. She is due to start in the Cathedral Green, in the Deanery, while be appointed as Chaplain to the Bishop middle of this month. she was studying for her PhD. She has of Llandaff. Although I will miss Parish Following her ordination in 2009, a twin brother Paul who also works for ministry, I am excited by this new role Sarah served as curate in Caerphilly the church, heading up the Stipends and look forward to supporting Bishop for three years before moving to Section of the RB. June in her ministry over the next few Abercynon as priest-in-charge and Prior to ordination, Sarah studied years.” being appointed as the Diocesan Biochemistry at the University of

Voyage of discovery for new Port Chaplain from the Revd Nick Jones who left after of life and our economy.” The Mission to Seafarers has a new nearly five years and moved to Burry Port. The Mission to Seafarers is an South Wales Port Chaplain – the Revd Fr Mark tells us what his new role Anglican charity, which has been Mark Lawson-Jones. entails and about his future plans. caring for merchant seafarers in over The former Rector of Cyncoed and “My first few months have been quite 200 ports worldwide for over 160 years. Area Dean of Bassaleg took over in June a voyage of discovery. In certain places With the Mission to Seafarers’ Honorary in our cities we receive over 90% of Chaplains and a Chaplaincy Assistant the goods we enjoy from a multitude of covering all eight ports across South ships, which are crewed by seafarers, Wales, the goal is to visit every merchant who can work for up to nine months ship that visits our shores. away from their loved ones. It is one of “We are hoping to attract volunteers the most dangerous jobs imaginable. to help with many tasks to serve “The crushing loneliness, worries seafarers in South Wales, from ship about families at home, and stressful visiting to helping to raise the profile of situations can make life very difficult. The the work we do,” added Fr Mark. role of chaplains is to offer to listen to the If you would like to learn more about stories of seafarers, perhaps pray with the work of the Mission to Seafarers, them, and offer help, practical help to or think that you might be able to make life better. Chaplains need to know help, please email what rights seafarers are entitled to and mark.lawson-jones@ they need to know which organisations mtsmail.org or have a can help in difficult times. look at the work the “There isn’t a day that goes by charity does at www. without me learning more about life at missiontoseafarers. sea, I am becoming aware that it’s easy org to forget about seafarers, even though they have a huge impact on our quality

CROESO Autumn 2017 | 15

©IWM D15294 ©IWM D15284 ©IWM

©IWM D15315 Under the Same Sun Immigration was one of the key issues in the EU Referendum. Here, Father Dean Atkins of Cardiff St Mary’s, looks at how multi-culturalism has helped shape Cardiff into the vibrant city that it is today.

“When Butetown was being built up, In the sailors strike of 1911, Chinese as it hoisted itself up on steel, flexed its laundries and lodging houses were set muscles on the back of coal, and dipped ablaze, and some white people felt their its toes into the sea, it took pride in a living threatened by those labourers population formed from over fifty foreign who chose to step across the picket nations. This was certainly the case by line. There are always cracks. Life was the time Archduke Ferdinand took the different then, of course, and much the bullet, blasting us into World War One. same. Different times, but the same The cutting of the Suez Canal, stubborn human nature, naturally completed in 1869, had connected the inclined to difference, yet inquisitive, lip of the Red Sea in a Mediterranean open minded, fascinating, frightening. kiss across Egypt’s heart, cutting the It’s not the same Butetown that some journey time between Britain and Asia, people speak of today, that some and bringing Somalian sailors to the Jewish shopkeepers and pawnbrokers of seem to remember. But what kind of coal-quick port of Cardiff. Some came, Bute Street brought the first synagogue community worth its weight stands still, some went. Some never went home, to Cardiff in 1858, having outgrown the stands back? feeling, as it happened, quite at home in rented rooms of Trinity Street. The ‘immigration question’ juggled Cardiff, settling in between the Greeks There were Welsh speaking chapels about today, and which became and the Arabs, the Chinese and French, and Huguenot churches churned out Referendum rife, wasn’t so much a the Yemenis and Irish and dozens by French exiles, and the beautiful question then, it seems, but a statement more besides. In a sea port, significant byzantine Greek Orthodox Church, of fact, an answer to the need, a natural throughout the world, with imports and breathing in the air since 1906, boasting response to the way things were, the exports, pubs a foot apart, cultures were the name of Nicholas, the patron of way things were going, the way things crammed together, rubbed shoulders, sailors. At the head of West Bute Dock needed to be in order for a community held hands. was St Paul’s Roman , to grow, for a town to become a city, Religions worked it out between crowded by Irish immigrants, slowly for a city to become the capital of a themselves, laying foundations in the squeezing out the Welsh speaking country which is surrounded by sea on soil and in society. The first Mosque in Anglican Church of All Saints all the three sides, and shares a border which Wales first peeped its head onto Peel way across the bridge to Adamsdown. hasn’t itself always experienced a happy Street, a make-shift mosque made from It was, for a while, a daughter church coming and going. a trio of houses. Bombed during the next of St Mary’s whose own memory had The UK, for a while, appears to be World War, a new Mosque took shape been resurrected in 1843, and which divided. There is nothing new under in 1947 only to be replaced in 1988 by stands, twin towered, at the top lip of the sun. Not whilst we all live under the the Mosque of today. Across the way Bute Street. same sun.” in a now non-existent East Terrace, the Race relations weren’t always rosy.

Croeso is edited by Alison Young and designed by Jeff Lewis (Space on White). The deadline for the next edition is November 6, 2017. Please send all copy and images to [email protected]