www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk MAWRTH/MARCH 2011 MARRIAGE MATTERS FULL CIRCLE: Introducing the new Archdeacon of St Davids he new Archdeacon of st TDavids, Revd Canon Keith smallwood will be collated on 19th May at a service in the Cathedral. A week earlier, on 15th May he will also be licensed as the new Vicar of steynton. For Keith this is something of a spiritual homecoming, having started his journey into the ministry in the 1960s at st John’s College, Ystrad Meurig, an experience that he still cherishes. since then, his journey has taken him from his native Monmouth Diocese, where he was ordained, to the Church of england, where he served for over 20 years, before as “running away from God”. If thetic Warden of Ordinands set him returning to Wales, to Brecon Cathe- you find yourself going down the on the right road – a road that has Preparation for marriage and issues surrounding long-term dral and to a parish in swansea. wrong road, he says (quoting lord now come full circle. relationships are crucial. This year the diocese, for possibly the he started his working life in soper), it doesn’t help to break into Full interview: page 2 banking, a decision he now sees a trot! Ystrad Meurig and a sympa- first time ever, will have representation at Wedding Fayres Full article: page 15 That’s the way to do it! Contributions to Pobl Dewi Minister praises Plant Dewi’s family strategy We welcome articles of interest from readers and, Welsh Assembly govern- then we need to address the prob- in particular, we would like A ment minister has singled lems that parents and children face to encourage submission out family support groups such as together,” he said. “The sort of pro- of articles in Welsh. those run in Carmarthenshire by active approach I have witnessed in Articles should be sent to Plant Dewi, the st Davids Dioc- these groups is exactly the kind of esan family support organisation, initiative we need to roll out across The Managing Editor: as typical of the sort of schemes Wales.” Tessa Briggs, needed if the new Welsh Assembly Mr lewis spent over an hour [email protected] Government anti-poverty strategy meeting parents, attending the or they can be posted to: is to meet its targets. sessions to hear their concerns. Deputy childrens minister huw “I was deeply impressed,” he Pobl Dewi lewis, AM, was visiting Fami- said. “It’s clear that the ongoing The Diocesan Office lies Together groups in llanelli support Plant Dewi provides for Abergwili and llandybie on the day that he these families makes a huge differ- Carmarthen announced the strategy, which ence to their confidence in seeking SA31 2JG aims to eradicate child poverty in to improve their lives and those of Wales by 2020. their children.” marked for the attention of “If we are to meet our goals, The Editor See pages 6 to 9 for a series of articles about The Big Society Join Pobl Dewi on and Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, March 2011 fascinated by railways and narrow gauge in particular. And I have a film soundtrack collection to rival I am looking forward to being the BBC! And finally, do you have a message to impart to the diocese? with you I’m looking forward to being with you and to serving in the parish of steynton. I can’t wait to see what The Archdeacon Designate of St Davids, the Revd Canon Keith Smalldon, chats to Paul Mackness you can teach me and in return about his life, his family and his hopes and aspirations for his future in St Davids hope that I can impart something to the Diocese. IRST of all Keith, can you What are your priorities in the What are your interests in Ftell us a little about your short term? Ministry? family? In the short term, to listen. To listen Where to start? This could take I’m married to Anne and have to what makes the diocese and its hours . well preaching has always been for 42 years. We met whilst people tick. I’d like to hear how been something that is important to we were both working for the others see the role of the archdea- me, I like hearing interpretations Spring Midland Bank. We have two chil- con. What I don’t want to do is fall of the Word, and have struggled dren, heather, who is a Major in into the trap of answering ques- to do as well as those who have the Queen Alexandra Nurses, and tions that nobody’s asking. inspired me. I specialised in Bibli- discussion Jonathan who is a fundraiser for cal Narrative Theology when I charities and other organisations. What are you looking forward did my Masters degree in Applied We also have four grandchildren, to the most? Theology at Newcastle University. all boys. I’m also fascinated by the whole evenings To be honest, the new challenge area of vocation, whether lay or Bishop Wyn is inviting people and new environment that comes Can you tell us a little about ordained, it’s great to listen to other in the diocese to a series of began for me. I started training at with moving to and learning about your ministry so far? people’s stories, and get inspiration discussion evenings. He hopes Ystrad Meurig, so I feel that I’ve a new Diocese. It strikes me as I was ordained in Monmouth from others in our Church family. that parishes will respond by come full circle. I started here and being a tremendous challenge at a Diocese in 1971, and served two encouraging the young and the am now returning, it feels nice to significant stage of the diocese’s curacies there. At first I thought What gets you up in the mature to attend come back. Over the years I’ve ministry, I’m very much looking that there was nothing beyond the morning? done a bit of consultancy for the forward to being alongside you all. he Bishop would like to take Monmouth Diocese, that is to say I diocese, whether delivering train- An alarm clock! No seriously, it’s Tthis opportunity to listen to felt that I would serve all my minis- ing for clergy or helping with that no two days are the same, I your views about “what the church try there. however this changed ICMe (Initial Continuing Minis- Do you have any regrets about always approach each day with a is for”. The evening will focus on and I spent 23 years in the Church terial education) or POT (Post moving? great sense of wonder and think our situation now and seek ideas of england, specialising in the ordination training). In 2003, I Anne and I will miss swansea, about what might happen, what through discussion about how we training of adults and youth work conducted the ordination retreat. we liked living there. I’ve been people I might meet. My family can step forward as disciples of as well as incumbencies in three I’ve visited a few times since following quite a few local soccer is of course always a source of Christ in mission. very different parishes. I worked my appointment and am trying teams and have thoroughly enjoyed delight. As we cannot all meet together for the Carlisle Diocese as Adviser to learn more about the various this. But swansea will always be in the same place at the same time for Clergy Training, and for the I know Keith that you’re a busy communities by looking at the there. I’ll also miss working with the Archdeacons have arranged last eight years I have been serv- person, but do you have any local papers etc. I’ve been mainly the swansea and Brecon Diocese local meetings so that the Bishop ing in the Diocese of swansea and hobbies or outside interests? a tourist here up until this point, and its people, it has been a pleas- can hear as many views as possi- Brecon as Director of Ministry. but I’m really looking forward to ure to serve there and of course I’m a keen watcher of sport, I get ble. The dates for each area are coming back. I was here in 1977 we had five lovely years living to maybe 35 soccer matches in the How well do you know the listed below and the place will as a Youth Officer at the British in the Cathedral Close in Brecon. season. I follow Rugby Union and Diocese of St Davids? be announced. Posters will be Council of Churches Dayspring But I’m sure that there are experi- Rugby league and speedway. I’m provided around the deaneries for Well really this is a lovely coin- Youth Festival that was based at ences ahead that we haven’t even a keen photographer and an avid people to see, as well as return slips cidence, as this was where it all the Cathedral in st Davids. dreamed about! reader of just about anything. I’m for those who intend to come. each meeting will start at 7pm and last until 9pm. Refreshments Evangelism Team St Cynwyl’s re-opens will be provided. Daugleddau, Dewisland Diocesan committees are all very well – but what have they and Fishguard got to do with anything that goes on in parishes? Grass-roots 28th March Clarbeston initiatives are great – but how will anyone else know about your Road Memorial Hall good ideas? Carmarthen and St Clears URING 2010 the diocesan promoting a deanery mission or 29th March St John’s Devangelism Team was think- supporting evangelism courses in Church Hall, Carmarthen ing about how to link up these two parishes.