Advent 2013 | Adfent 2013 Esgobaeth Llandaf | Diocese of Llandaff

The Poppy Treeand a Garden ofRemembrance Page 5

New Memorial tothose killed inMines Page 3

Churches bring Christmasto Cardiff – and Aberdare The story of Christmas, free for

everyone, is returning to Cardiff andmaking its premiere in Aberdare.

This wonderful Christmas Opera tells of the journeyof the Magi and offers the opportunity for schoolchildren to play a wonderful Church Organ – all this inthe centre of Cardiff this Christmas – and this year‘Christmas-The Story’ is now also to take place inAberdare supported by the Churches of the CynonValley . All this has grown from an idea of SallyHumble-Jackson from Pen-y-lan in Cardiff four yearsago.

‘Christmas –The Story’ will be in Tabernacl, in TheHayes Cardiff, from November 30th to December21st in twenty minute performances, all dayMondays to Saturdays from 10am until 6pm andadmission for everyone is completely free. Back againthis year will be two real live donkeys who were agreat attraction to children last year.

The donkeys will have their stable in the forecourt ofTabernacl. The Churches of the Cynon Valley havetaken up the idea and will be performing ‘ChristmasThe Story’ at St Elvan’s Church in Aberdare.

Back in Cardiff several thousand local schoolchildren will be enjoying free trips to see theproduction and - new this year - they will then be takento the former Ebenezer Welsh Chapel in CharlesStreet to enjoy a demonstration of the wonderful fourmanual organ, and the children will then be given theopportunity to play the organ for themselves.

The Christmas Opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors,will be performed in Tabernacl, on Thursday, Fridayand Saturday evenings, with a Sunday matinee, andtells the tale of a lame boy and his widowed Motherwho gave lodgings to the Wise Men.

Three outstanding boy trebles will be playing thelead role, and tickets can be booked by emailing

www.operamintwales.org.uk, or can be bought at anyperformances of ‘Christmas –The Story’.

On stage, ‘Christmas The Story’ has a completelynew stage set this year together with a brilliant newsound track. The production is funded by members oflocal churches who have been asked to considercontributing just £1 for each member of theircongregation. Also there is still a welcome to

volunteers to take part in some performances. There are no lines to learn as all the narrative is pre-

recorded and taking part is easy and great fun.

To donate or volunteer please contact Sally Humble-Jackson, c/o Church House, Church Road , CardiffCF14 OSJ , telephone 02920 493326 or email:cardiffnativity@gmail.com.

BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year 2013 FinalsAn opportunity of a life time for Llandaff Cathedral ChoristerI was very surprised and excited to be invited to the liverecordings of Radio 2 BBC Young Choristers of the Year2013 during half term, in the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square. I felt really lucky to be a reservefinalist but totally shocked when, with very little notice, Iwas asked to sing in the final. I was also interviewed live byDiane Louise Jordan. It was fascinating to watch how a

radio programme is made and wonderful to meet such inter-esting people, an opportunity I will never forget and a realprivilege.Thank you to all my music teachers for the hard work theyhave done over the past 5 years.

Charlie Price

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Action to SupportBangladeshiGarment WorkersMembers of the Diocesan Conferencewere urged to write to shop managersto stress the need to offer fairly paidfor products.

It is part of the campaign, supportedby the Llandaff Diocese, to call forbetter rights and safer workingconditions for Bangladeshi garmentworkers in the run up to Christmas andthe winter sales.

A sample letter, which is available onthe diocesan website, questions shopmanagers on where the clothes theysell are manufactured and whatconditions are like for people working inthose factories.• Bangladesh garment workers are paid

10p an hour compared with £8.50 anhour for their British counterparts

• Over 1,800 Bangladesh garmentworkers are estimated to have died infactory collapses and fires in recentyears.The aim of the letter is to highlight the

need to ensure that there’s not ahidden price paid by garment workers inBangladesh or other developingcountries for clothes to be sold morecheaply in our shops.

Archbishop –“Food banksare a stickingplaster”

‘We must support food banks but theyshouldn’t be needed in a civilisedsociety,’ said the Archbishop of Wales.Dr Barry Morgan compared food banksto sticking plasters – a quick fix whichfailed to address the root of theproblem.

Speaking at the annual LlandaffDiocesan Conference, the Archbishopsaid, “I am glad that people aresupporting food banks, but the questionthat we should be asking is, why in acivilised society do we have food banksin the first place? We ought not to needthem. As fantastic as food banks are,they do not go to the root of theproblems of our society.”

Dr Morgan supported an amendedmotion to applaud the work of theFoodbank organisation, while deploringthe social and economic conditionswhich made food banks a necessity.The motion urged all parishes todevelop further their active support oftheir local food banks, and called onchurch members to work for a society inwhich all people have an incomesufficient to meet their needs.

Dr Andrew Connell of the parish ofCathays who proposed the amendmentsaid, “I believe that every Food bankshould have a large sign saying, ‘In adecent society this would not benecessary’.”

DIOCESAN CONFERENCE 2013

Vision for the futureA vision to take the Church forwardinto the 21st century was outlined tomembers of the Llandaff DiocesanConference at their annual gatheringin Bridgend.

Archbishop Barry called on membersto help bring about a change in howthe Church operated – a change thathe said was needed to allow it to growand survive.

Around 250 people packed into thesports hall at BrynterionComprehensive for the conference,during which the Archbishop in hispresidential address outlined what thediocese was aiming to do in the lightof 2020 Vision (The Church in WalesReview)

He spoke of how membership of theChurch in Wales had declined over thelast 50 years, and, as the world hadchanged radically during this time, sonow did the Church need to change inorder to grow and survive.

He said the strategy suggested bythe Review advocated two veryimportant things.

a) Getting clergy to work togetheracross a wider area instead of in silosin their own parishes.

b) Getting the ministry areas toharness the gifts of the laity morecreatively.

“What I am envisaging” he said, “isa team of people, lay and clerical, ineach ministry area, operating over thearea as a whole and having an overallstrategy for that area. We may need, inaddition to voluntary and non-stipendiary clergy and laity, to beprepared to pay some qualified laypeople as we do clergy at present, to,for example, work with young people oryoung families. We may especiallyneed to employ people who cancommunicate the Gospel in new andcreative ways i.e. to evangelise.”

He also pointed to how the questionof buildings needed to be tackled, interms of numbers and lifespan. “Wehave some tools in place to help us.These are the Living Faith courses andalso of course 7 Sacred Spaces. If Iwere to sum up both of those in threewords, I would do so in the words thatI used at the launch of 7 SacredSpaces at the Senedd in May. Theyare - deepening, growing andconnecting.

The Christian life is about trying to

deepen our relationship with God andone another. The best ways to do thatare through small groups, meetingtogether, studying something like theLiving Faith course. It is also aboutgrowing – growing as Christians, butgrowing as a church. If we are notgrowing as a church, then we aredeclining and therefore dying.

And then thirdly, connecting;connecting the Gospel with the wholeof life, with one another and with God.We all of us need to realise that theGospel affects or should affect everypart of our lives – how we spend ourmoney, our leisure, our relationships.The Gospel also needs to connect withthe world and the communities inwhich we live.

“7 Sacred Spaces then is aboutdeepening, growing, connecting. Andwhen I talk about deepening, growingand connecting, I am talking about theneed for all of us to do so, clergy andlaity alike and for us to do it inpartnership and in collaboration withone another through prayer, worship,decision making, leisure, work,hospitality and study – in short, weneed to try and find God in all things.”

“Marmite moment”The Church in Wales Review waslikened to Marmite – either loved orhated – as Archdeacon Philip Morrisoutlined progress on the report.

He explained how a Church in WalesImplementation Group had been set upto see through the changesrecommended in the review and toprioritise its recommendations.

“Reading the Review Report when itwas first published was for most peoplea Marmite Moment. They appreciatedits central vision of a re-energised andre-invigorated Church, but were not sosure about the detail,” said Philip. Therecommendations cover mattersincluding re-organisation of parishesinto ministry areas, training, outreach,re-structuring of dioceses, churchbuildings, finance and the constitution.

Following the Governing Body’swelcoming of the Review’srecommendations for theestablishment of Ministry Areas servedby Ministry Teams at their meeting inSeptember, dioceses are now beingasked to develop the idea creatively.What will the Ministry Area Teams looklike as envisioned by the Review?• They will consist of lay and ordained;• They will provide ministry to local

congregations using local leaders;• They will be led by a Team Leader

who will have leadership training;• There will be specialist ministries to

young people and those outside theworshipping community.Philip explained how the idea of a

ministry area, wider than the usualparish, was not new and how in theDiocese of Llandaff there were sixrectorial benefices and in a couple ofareas, clusters were being formed.“The key word in the Church in Wales’sframework for Ministry Areas is‘creatively’ – how can the concept ofMinistry Areas be developed creativelyto best meet the needs of the localchurch and the wider communities it

seeks to serve. This is the next stage– for area deaneries to think about, todiscuss how Ministry Areas can bedeveloped in a form that would bestserve the communities in which theparishes are set. And some deanerieshave already begun.”

But to find the inner spirit behind theChurch in Wales Review, Alison Young,the Diocesan Communications Officer,chatted with a number of people abouthow they were using the lens of SevenSacred Spaces to implement theReview. These included Moira Randall,of the parish of the Vale of Neath, whotalked about how the Neath DeaneryChapter had been meeting and workingtogether to see how the Deanery couldbecome a Ministry Area (Chapter).Rev’d Robert Davies told of theinnovative £1.2m make-over plans forSt Elvan’s Aberdare, which will result in

multi-purpose usefor things such asart classes and acafe (Garden).Trisha Griffiths, ofthe Friends of StAugustine’s Penarth, explained howquickly and successfully their group hadgrown, connecting both the churchcommunity and others (Cloister).Rev’d Sarah Rogers spoke about theLiving Faith courses which are to be runin the Cynon Valley (Library). JudyHopkins explained how the MothersUnion was exploring BereavementSupport (Library). And RosemaryGriffiths talked about the diocese’sSpirituality Awareness Course (Cell).

A short video on the lunch club setup at Llandaff Cathedral to reach out tothe elderly was shown to illustrateRefectory at work.

“Uncover phantom firms”, urges Archbishop The Archbishop of Wales is urging churchgoers to support a campaignagainst tax dodgers.

Dr Barry Morgan is supporting Christian Aid’s campaign for greater taxtransparency to help uncover “phantom firms”.

The charity wants the UKGovernment to ensure publicregisters are created which revealthe true owners of phantom firms.It compares such companies toRussian dolls, as their coreownership is disguised, enablingthem to evade tax.

Dr Morgan said, “No one likespaying taxes, but they are thebedrock of a fairer and more equalsociety, both here in Wales and indeveloping countries. Tax dodging,particularly through the set up ofphantom companies, drives povertyand injustice. I urge churchesacross Wales to give active supportto Christian Aid’s campaign.”

Archbishop Barry is pictured witha “Russian doll” at the ChristianAid stand at the conference.

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Canon to enable women to beconsecrated as Bishops(2013) Code of PracticeYou will be aware that at itsSeptember meeting, the GoverningBody of the Church in Wales passed acanon making it possible for womento be consecrated as Bishops in theChurch in Wales from 12th September2014.

The legislation passed also entrustedthe Bench of Bishops to agree a Codeof Practice making provisions such thatall members of the Church in Wales,including those who in consciencedissent from the decision to allow theconsecration of women as bishops,may have a sense of security in theiraccepted and valued place in theChurch in Wales.

At the Governing Body meeting, theBishops pledged themselves to consultwidely before writing such a Code ofPractice, and I am, on behalf of theBench of Bishops, writing to invite yourviews on its development.

The Bishops have agreed that we willconsult in three ways.

First, all members and groups withinthe Church in Wales are invited tomake written submissions on the typeof provision which might be made inthe Code of Practice and giving thereasons for such proposals, and anyother related matters they wish toraise. Submissions should be sent tothe Provisional Secretary at 39Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9XF, orto julianluke@churchinwales.org.ukThe deadline for written submissions is31 December 2013.

Secondly, we intend to hold a series ofopen meetings in the New Year – or atleast one per diocese – to enable

members of the Church in Wales tomake submissions in person. Detailsof these meetings will be publicised indue course. All will be welcome toattend and contribute.

Thirdly, there will be an ‘Open Forum’at the Governing Body meeting in April2014 for Governing Body members toexpress their views.

We look forward to receiving commentsand ideas, and we should be grateful ifyou will draw the attention of anyinterested party or group to theinvitations contained in this letter,including your own congregation.

Canon i Ganiatau CysegruMenywod yn Esgobio (2013)Cod YmarferByddwch yn ymwybodol bod CorffLlywodraethol yr Eglwys yng Nghymruwedi pasio canon yn ei gyfarfod ymmis Medi sy’n golygu bod moddcysegru menywod yn Esgobion yn yrEglwys yng Nghymru o 12 Medi 2014.

Roedd y ddeddfwriaeth a basiwyd hefydyn gofyn i Fainc yr Esgobion gytuno arGôd Ymarfer sy’n cynnwysdarpariaethau i roi sicrwydd i hollaelodau yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, yncynnwys y rhai sy’n anghytuno fel matero gydwybod a’r penderfyniad i ganiataucysegru merched yn esgobion, bodcroeso iddynt o hyd yn yr Eglwys yngNghymru a’u bod yn cael eugwerthfawrogi.

Yng nghyfarfod y Corff Llywodraethol,addawodd yr esgobion y byddent ynymgymghoru’n helaeth cyn ysgrifennuCôd Ymarfer o’r fath, ac rwyf i, ar ranMainc yr Esgobion, yn ysgrifennu atochi ofyn am eich sylwadau ar ddatblygu’r

Côd.

Mae’r Esgobion wedi cytuno y byddwnyn ymgynghori mewn tair ffordd.

Yn gyntaf, rhoddir gwahoddiad i hollaelodau a grwpiau’r Eglwys yngNghymru gyflwyno sylwadauysgrifenedig ar y math o ddarpariaeth ygellid ei gwneud yn y Côd Ymarfer arhoi’r rhesymau dros eu cynigion, acunrhyw faterion eraill cysylltiedig yrhoffent roi sylw iddynt. Dylid anfonsylwadau at Ysgrifennydd y Dalaith yn39 Heol y Gadeirlan, Caerdydd CF119XF, neu atjulianluke@churchinwales.org.uk. Ydyddiad cau ar gyfer sylwadauysgrifenedig yw 31 Rhagfyr 2013.

Yn ail, rydym yn bwriadu cynnal cyfres ogyfarfodydd agored yn y FlwyddynNewydd – o leiaf un ym mhobesgobaeth – fel y gall aelodau yr Eglwysyng Nghymru gyflwyno sylwadau wynebyn wyneb. Bydd manylion y cyfarfodyddhyn yn cael eu cyhoeddi yn nes at yramser. Bydd croeso i bawb fynychu achyfrannu.

Yn drydydd, bydd “Fforwm Agored” yngnghyfarfod y Corff Llywodraethol ym misEbrill 2014 i roi cyfle i aelodau’r CorffLlywodraethol gyflwyno sylwadau.

Edrychwn ymlaen at dderbyn eichsylwadau a syniadau, a byddem ynddiolchgar pe gallech dynnu sylwunrhyw barti neu grwp a buddiant at ygwahoddiad yn y llythyr hwn, yn cynnwyseich cynulleidfa.

New Memorial toThose Killed in Mines Archbishop Barry recently dedicated a newnational memorial to all those killed in miningaccidents in Wales.

The memorial was unveiled at Senghenydd,on the site of the worst mining disaster in theUK. Exactly 100 years ago, on October 14,1913, an explosion killed 439 miners and arescuer at the Universal Colliery. The memorialstands in the centre of a garden ofremembrance to those killed that day and at150 other mining tragedies in Wales. A walledgarden was also opened with tiles inscribedwith the details of those killed in the twoSenghenydd disasters as well as a "path ofmemory," which marks the other collierytragedies in Wales.

Hundreds of people gathered for the serviceof dedication, which was led by the Rev’dSusan Rees, Priest-in-charge of Eglwysilan. Inher address she said miners were boundtogether by a strong sense of camaraderie.She said, "The example set by miners lovingone another, is an example we would all dowell to imitate. We are here to remember, with

love, those who have gone before us; they arenow perfected in love. Let us all in tribute todaytry to walk that road ourselves and to grow inlove for one another." Following a minute'ssilence and the singing of the nationalanthems, the Archbishop gave the finalblessing to those present.

Later, the Archbishop walked the "path ofmemory" and paused at the stone marking anaccident at Gwaun Cae Gurwen colliery in hishome town. Six people died in the accident onSeptember 1, 1847. The Archbishop said,"We hear that religion no longer matters topeople, yet those here today wanted a serviceof prayer and wanted to remember before Godthose who had died. These mining towns andvillages have a deep sense of communityrunning through them that is still alive and theirfaith is very much a part of that. Sometimes weonly find the depths of our faith when tragedyhits us."

Right: The Archbishop looking at the GwaunCae Gurwen memorial stone

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Whether it’scheering on hisfavourite rugby teamor raising funds forchurch renovations,Rev’d AndrewMeredith, the newpriest-in-charge ofCadoxton-juxta-Neath and Tonna, isalways full ofenthusiasm. Andrew (54), returning to his homediocese, was licensed as Priest-in-Charge at St Catwg’s Church, Cadoxtonon September 15th. He takes over fromRev’d Caroline Owen who has moved tothe Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.Ordained in 1993, Andrew is marriedwith three children and previouslyworked for Barclays Bank. For 20 yearshe worked as curate and vicar in andaround Swansea, and helped to raise£500,000 for a project to revamp StStephen’s Church. Excited to be in anew parish, he hopes to find ways ofdrawing the two communities ofCadoxton-juxta-Neath and Tonnatogether. Having moved only eightmiles, he is still close enough to watchhis beloved Ospreys rugby team play ona regular basis. Archbishop Morgansaid, “It’s good to welcome AndrewMeredith to the diocese. His colleaguesin the Neath Deanery are lookingforward to sharing with him in God’smission in that part of the diocese.”

Rev’d EdwardDowland-Owen waslicensed as teamvicar of Cowbridge inHoly Cross Church bythe Assistant Bishop,David Wilbourne. Hetakes over fromRev’d Martyn Perrywho has moved to

Merthyr Tydfil. Edward worked as ateacher in Swansea and Ebbw Valebefore entering the priesthood at theage of 32. After serving as a curate atthe Cathedral, he then worked inLlandyfodwg and lately in Penarth. He isdelighted to come to Cowbridge, arectorial benefice with 11 churches.“What the Church in Wales Review isadvocating in terms of larger ministryareas with clergy and laity working moreclosely together has been working verywell here for some time.” A formerteacher, Edward enjoys working withschools and has also led pet servicesin his previous parishes. He looksforward to taking new Labrador Buddiealong to the next one! Rev’d Owen willcontinue to head the DiocesanSpirituality Group.

The Rev’d CanonEdward DowdingRector of the Parishof Sully and ofWenvoe and StLythans, retired onOctober 31st. The66-year-old who isoriginally fromCaerau Maesteg,spent his entire 41-year ministry in theLlandaff Diocese. After curacies at StCatherine, Canton and Aberdare hemoved to Aberavon in 1978 where hewas vicar at Holy Trinity. He becameRector at Sully (with Wenvoe and StLythans in 2010) in 1985. He has nowmoved with his wife Jean to Barry, stillnear the sea, and is looking forward toenjoying weekends with his daughters inLondon and Bristol and helping his wifein their garden.

A husband and wife team are to servein two neighbouring parishes. Rev’dStephen Jenkyns, 52, was licensed onNovember 6th, by Assistant Bishop

David Wilbourne, as priest in charge atSt Catherine’s, Baglan, taking over fromRev’d Pauline Williams who has movedto the warmer climes of Spain to work.The following week his wife Elaine waslicensed as priest in charge of the nextdoor parish of Cwmafan taking overfrom the Rev’d Helen O’Shea who hasmoved to the benefice of Cilybebyll.Each will also serve as the other’sassistant curate. Stephen was formerly vicar of LlandaffNorth, and before that served inCyncoed and Penarth. Elaine was half-time priest-in-charge of PontypriddSt.Matthew and Cilfynydd w. Llanwynno,and previously curate at Penarth andLlantwit Major. Elaine will combine hernew role with her other half-timeposition as lead Children’s Adviser forthe diocese. Both Stephen and Elaine,who have been married just over a year,were ordained on the same day elevenyears ago. Stephen had worked as aprecision engineer and agroundsman/gardener, and Elaine as ahairdresser. “My plan for Baglan”, saidStephen, “is the same as that I alwaysadopted for horticulture: I won’t diganything up or cut anything down until Isee how it flowers. I will see what’shere first and then build on that.Though they are two separate parishes,Elaine and I will be treating them as oneministry area, as advocated in theChurch in Wales review. We will eachbe able to bring our different gifts.

Elaine is a particularly good organiser,great with paperwork and wonderful withchildren, whereas I like to cross theboundaries between church and thecommunity in my ministry – between uswe’ll make one great priest!”

Rev’d Mark Prevett,54, was licensed onNovember 12th aspriest in charge ofMerthyr Tydfil, StDavid andAbercanaid byArchbishop BarryMorgan. He takesover from Rev’dMartyn Davies who left last year after11 years to become Area Dean for theVale of Glamorgan. Rev’d Prevett hasworked in England for the last 17 years,in the dioceses of Winchester andWorcester, but his clerical career beganin Wales. After growing up inAbergavenny, and working as anelectrical engineer, he served curaciesin Brynmawr and Bassaleg, beforebecoming rector of Blaina and vicar ofNantyglo for five years. He has alsospent short periods of time abroadworking with local churches in Rwanda.Mark may well arrive at church forservice on the back of his motorbike!“It’s the freedom of the open road thatappeals”, he says. “You can’t thinkabout work or anything else or you’llhave an accident. By returning home toWales, I feel as though my ministry iscoming full circle. I am particularlylooking forward to working in this busytown centre parish.” The Archbishopspoke of him as “an experienced parishpriest, used to working collaboratively ina town ministry setting.” Mark and wifeGill have four children. In his spare timehe enjoys poetry and sports, and is akeen mountaineer, caver and anavigator for rally car racing.

Comings and Goings . . .

Public thank youto former registrar

The registrar of Llandaff Diocese,David Lambert, retired inSeptember and was thanked onbehalf of the diocese by theArchbishop of Wales, Dr BarryMorgan, at the annual diocesanconference for all his work over thelast 28 years.

Archbishop Barry said, “DavidLambert is familiar to all of us. Healways goes that extra mile whenpeople have a problem. He hasbeen registrar of this diocese for 28years, with the last eight years beingin a voluntary capacity. I would liketo thank him for all the work that hehas done over the years and wishhim all the best in his retirement.”

Mr Lambert’s wife Diana waspresented with a bouquet of flowers.

New parish and diocesan rolefor former university chaplainA clergyman who was struck down witha degenerative spine condition that ledhim to write two books to help otherscope with suffering is taking on twonew roles within the church.

Rev’d Dr Trystan Owain Hughes, whohas been Chaplain of Cardiff University,was licensed as the new priest-in-chargeand Diocesan Director of Ordinands, byArchbishop Barry Morgan, at ChristChurch, Roath Park, on November 4th.

The son of a vicar from North Wales,Trystan, 40, was ordained as a deaconin 2005 but his ordination as a priestwas delayed by a year after he sufferedan injury playing badminton and spentalmost a year laid up after his spinecondition was diagnosed. It was duringthis time that Trystan wrote the first ofhis two books about suffering. The firstbook, Finding Hope and Meaning inSuffering, was followed later by TheCompassion Quest. After being ordainedin 2005, Trystan was curate at LlantwitMajor for a year and then curate atWhitchurch for three years beforebecoming university Chaplain. Duringthis time, Trystan set up an inter faithcafe, called Religion Cafe, and helpedestablish a group called The Journey,which is open to all 16 to 24-years-old

across the Llandaff Diocese. He ismarried to Sandra and they have twochildren and a new baby on the way inDecember. Despite having to learn tolive with chronic pain, Trystan leads asactive a life as possible.

Despite being the son of a vicar,Trystan was adamant he was not goingto follow in his father Berw Hughes’shoes while growing up.

“It was during my twenties that I feltGod was calling me to do more pastoralwork and my journey to ordination began.I did have a tough time after my backinjury but that year laid up definitelymade me appreciate life more. I hopethat it also helped teach me how to

empathise more with others. I’m reallylooking forward to my new role both inthe parish and the diocesan post.”

As Director of Ordinands, Trystan willbe the first port of call for those who feelthey have been called to the priesthood.“If someone feels that they are beingcalled to ordained ministry, then they willbe sent to me and we will talk throughthe attributes that a vicar needs andeventually we’ll decide whether it is rightfor them. Being a vicar is such awonderful job, as you are there at all themost important times in a person’s life –weddings, christenings and at hospitalbedsides and funerals. It’s an enormousprivilege to be a vicar and so I think it’sa massive privilege to be working withpeople who feel that God is calling themto this work.”

The Archbishop said, “I have knownTrystan since his boyhood inPenmaenmawr when I served in thediocese of Bangor. I am very pleasedthat he has agreed to be priest in chargeof Christ Church, Roath Park andDiocesan Director of Ordinands, to whichhe will bring his great pastoral andtheological gifts and his ability to discernvocations.”Photo: Rev’d Dr Trystan Owain Hughes

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Australian Spitfire Pilot’s nameadded to Roll of Remembrance A new name – of theAustralian pilot who died whenhis Spitfire crashed in a field inPendoylan - has been added tothe Roll of Remembrance inthe parish church.

It was 70 years ago onFebruary 6, 1943, that youngAustralian pilot, Flying OfficerNeville Fleming, lost control ofhis Spitfire near Pendoylan,while on a training missionfrom the airfield at nearby Llandow. His fighteraircraft touched the ground and spun out of control,bursting into flames and killing him instantly.

Aged just 19, Flying Officer Neville AlexanderThomas Fleming, of the Royal Australian Air Force,came from Red Hill, Brisbane, Queensland,Australia, and had been flying a Spitfire on a non-operational day training flight when he crashed andwas killed.

The incident went down in local folklore, with tales

told about ‘the field where the Spitfire crashed’. Inthe last year, much more has been discovered aboutthe incident. Local people researched the incidentand discovered that FO Fleming was buried in theWar Graves Cemetery in Llantwit Major.

Contact was also made with FO Fleming’s familyin Australia and his sister sent a package ofphotographs and documents, including her brother’scap badge and insignia. All of a sudden, a tale oflocal folklore has become a commemoration andremembrance of a young man who died tragically inservice of his country , aged just 19.

The Remembrance Service at St Cadoc’s Churchin Pendoylan was very special this year. Well knownhymns and readings that reflected on conflict andreconciliation across the generations wereparticularly poignant as Neville Fleming’s name wasadded to the list of names of the fallen, read aloudas the Last Post echoed around the church.

Neville Fleming, who died in the Parish ofPendoylan 70 years ago, is now remembered as ahero by his family, friends and fellow parishioners.

The Poppy Tree

A Garden of Remembrance for Cardiff, with the Poppy Tree as itsfocal point, was set up once again this year by the Cardiff division ofthe Royal British Legion in the churchyard of St John the Baptist inthe city centre.

In the week before Remembrance Sunday, a service was held duringwhich the Garden of Remembrance was dedicated by the new Priest inCharge of St John's, Rev’d Canon Dr. Sarah Rowland Jones, on onlyher second day after licensing to the parish. The Poppy Tree, anevergreen , is adorned with large poppies each year, as a reminder ofthe occasion to all that pass by.

During the Ceremony of Remembrance, poppies are planted, to thesound of a bagpipe lament.

The first to lay a poppy cross was the Lord Lieutenant of SouthGlamorgan, Dr Peter Beck on behalf of H.M. The Queen, then the Rt.Hon. Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Derrick Morgan on behalf of the people ofCardiff, and the Lady Mayoress, Noreen Morgan, on behalf of all ex-service men and women. The senior forces officers were followed bythe merchant navy, police and fire services, all of whom lost lives inwartime, then representatives of the Royal British Legion, and morethan fifty service and ex-service organisations.

The ceremony ended with the singing of the National Anthems. ThePoppy Tree will remain in the churchyard for a while, where all passers-by can see it, and the poppy crosses beneath.

Ever since the end of the First World War, the anniversary of theArmistice has been marked by ceremonies to remember the terribleloss of life in that conflict. In later years remembrance extended tothe dead of the Second World War, and the many others that havedied in service in later times.

The symbol of remembrance in our country is the poppy, which grewin the battle fields of Flanders, and whose red colour symbolises theblood that has been shed.

New priest at St John’s Cardiff – aWelshwoman from South Africa!The former Research andEcumenical adviser for theArchbishop of Cape Town,Rev’d Canon Dr SarahRowland Jones has returnedto her native Wales tobecome priest-in-charge ofone of the city’s most wellknown churches – St John theBaptist, right in the heart ofthe capital. She was licensedby Archbishop Dr BarryMorgan, on October 31st, andtakes over at St John’s fromthe Rev’d Liz Griffiths.

“I am delighted to comehome to Wales and to thisparish which is so muchwoven into the fabric of life ofthe city centre. I feel the roleof the church in the heart ofCardiff is to do as St John theBaptist himself did: to pointthose around to Jesus andencourage them to have adeeper relationship with him.Whether people are here asresidents, workers, shoppersor tourists, our hope is that allthese visitors will becomepilgrims. There are hugeparallels between my previouswork in the diplomatic serviceand the role of St John’s whichis woven in the fabric of life inthe city centre. With both theMillennium Stadium and theSWALEC Stadium within thisparish, I am also lookingforward to visiting both towatch rugby and cricket.”Sarah hoped that Wales wouldrepeat the victory of the firstInternational match played atthe Millennium Stadium –which was against theSpringboks in June 1999 – onthe day that she was ordained.“Obviously I didn’t get to seethat match but I am lookingforward to when they play nextweekend...I haven’t got aticket yet but I will certainly bewatching it somewhere,” saidSarah, the title of whosedoctorate was "Doing God inPublic".

After growing up in

Welshpool and Shrewsbury,Sarah read mathematics atCambridge and on graduating,spent a year as the DeputyPresident of the Students’Union, the first woman to beelected to a sabbaticalposition. Although she didconsider full-time Christianwork after leaving university,she ended up joining the ‘faststream’ of the DiplomaticService and during the next 15years had postings to theBritish Embassies in Ammanand Budapest. When notoverseas, she was based inthe Foreign Office in Londonwith responsibilities rangingfrom counter terrorism todealing with the EuropeanUnion. She left the ForeignOffice in 1996 for ordinationtraining in the Church in Walesthrough her home Diocese ofSt Asaph, and was ordaineddeacon in 1999, priest in2000 and was curate in therectorial benefice of Wrexham.In the 1997 New Year’sHonours she was awarded anOBE ‘For Services to theForeign and CommonwealthOffice’, having also been madeLVO, Lieutenant of the RoyalVictorian Order, for her part inarranging the Queen’s Statevisit to Hungary in 1993. TheAnglican Church quickly madeuse of her global experience,appointing her to twointernational commissionsthrough which she met herhusband to be, the Very Rev’dJustus Marcus, then Dean ofKimberley Cathedral.

Sarah moved to SouthAfrica at the end of 2002, bywhich time Justus was Bishopof Saldanha Bay. He wasfound to have cancer threeweeks before their weddingin January 2003, and Sarahwas left a widow thefollowing December. “Imet Justus when I was41, we got engagedwhen I was 42,

married when I was 43 and Iwas widowed at 44.”

Since late 2003, Sarah hasworked as the Research andEcumenical Adviser for twoArchbishops of Cape Town.She convenes the ecumenicalworking group of the Inter-Anglican Standing Commissionfor Unity, Faith and Order, andhas also represented theAnglican Communion on thecoordinating committee of theGlobal Christian Forum since2003. In 2011 she marriedPeter Evans, a fellow Welshexile living in South Africa.Outside of her busy churchlife, Sarah also enjoys goodfriends, crossword puzzles,poetry (she is published online and in print in South Africaand the UK) and the companyof her cocker spaniel,Benjamin and her scottie,Cora, who will join her inNovember.

Archbishop Morgan said, “Iam delighted to welcomeCanon Sarah Rowland Jonesto the diocese. Ordained inWales, she has been aresearcher, theological adviserand chaplain to the Archbishopof Cape Town, and so bringsthese gifts and a knowledgeand expertise of the worldwidechurch.”

6 croeso Advent 2013

AroundtheDiocese

Charity Sleepover outsidea Caerphilly ChurchParishioner Ann Savage-Lewisfrom St Catherine’s Church,Caerphilly planned to spend anight under the stars to raisemoney for a charity for singlehomeless people.

Ann, along with fellow ChristianSteve Kings, left her homecomforts behind from dusk untildawn on Thursday, November28th, to raise money for Crisis atChristmas.

“We shall be ‘homeless’ for avery short time, but it will give us ataste of what it feels like to haveno roof over our heads in winter.We also hope to draw attention tothe wonderful work that Crisis atChristmas does,” said Ann. “It isthanks to the generosity of theBritish public and hundreds ofvolunteers who give up their timethat help makes Christmas happyfor single homeless people.”

Crisis is the national charity forsingle homeless people, dedicatedto putting an end to homelessnessby delivering life-changing service

and campaigning for change. Just£21.84 will allow one person tohave a place at Crisis thisChristmas; providing access tovaluable services that can reallymake a difference.

Ann and Steve camped outoutside St Catherine’s Church,Caerphilly, from 5pm on Thursday,November 28, until 8am thefollowing day.Donations and more information

can be found atwww.crisis.org.uk

Caerphilly Church Launches Food Co-op

Affordable and fresh, local fruit andvegetables are now provided by a food co-op which was recently launched at StCatherine’s Church, Caerphilly.

With the support of the Rural RegenerationUnit, it will run every Wednesday between11.30am and 2pm in the church hall in MillRoad. It was officially opened by the mayorof Caerphilly, Councillor Michael Gray, withmembers of the Caerphilly Co-op showcasinglocally sourced produce from the harvestseason along with recipes.

The food co-op is open to everyone;people need to simply turn up, order theirbags, pay and then collect their freshproduce the following week. There arearound 300 food co-ops in Wales and theyoffer a simple way of buying fresh fruit andvegetables from local suppliers. A bag ofproduce will cost just £3 a bag. The StCatherine’s co-op is run by volunteers andall money taken goes straight back to thesupplier and therefore into the local

economy. £190 worth of orders wereimmediately taken.

Rev’d Gareth Coombes, associate Priestof the parish of Caerphilly said, “We arereally excited about the concept of running afood co-op and building links with the localcommunity here. This is a real opportunity toreach out in mission in a practical way.”Debbie Neale, general manager of the RuralRegeneration Unit (RRU), said, “Buying freshproduce from your local co-op could not onlysave you money, but also help your friendsand family eat more healthily and bring themtogether with like-minded members of thecommunity too. Food purchased at your localco-op also ensures any money spent is withlocal suppliers and involves less packagingand fewer food miles too.”

The Rural Regeneration Unit who run theprogramme with funding from the Welshgovernment offer resources and support. Formore information on food co-ops visitwww.foodcoopswales.org.uk

A Vale of Glamorgan church held itssecond annual scarecrow festival as partof its harvest celebrations.

Many colourful handmade scarecrowswere taken along to the festival at StIlltyd’s Church in Llantrithyd as parishionersgathered for the Sunday afternoon seasonalservice. Rev’d Mark Dimond said, “We hadlovely weather and we all had great funonce again. The idea for the festival cameabout through a desire to connect a littlemore with the community. We sang songssuch as Harvest Samba, shared cakes andthe children played a number of gamessuch as Musical Scarecrows. The festivalwas very well attended and we were reallyimpressed with some of the scarecrows asthey were very well made.”

Scarecrow Festival to Celebrate Harvest

Green-fingered Vicar growsSunflowers for his FlockHundreds of sunflowers have beenbrightening up parts of the Vale ofGlamorgan this summer, thanksto one green fingered vicar.

Rev’d Anthony Beer grows andgives away between 400 to 500sunflower plants every year tofriends, neighbours, schoolchildrenand parishioners.

It all began eight years agowhen Anthony was given a packetof sunflower seeds and begangrowing them in his own gardenand giving the surplus plants awayto friends. “It was so exciting togive the gift of something that wasliving, that never failed to makepeople smile, and that could begrown in a relatively short space oftime. I distinctly remember howgreat it was to see children gazingin awe at these giant plants withenormous cheerful flowers as theywalked to school in earlySeptember,” said Anthony. “Itstruck me as rather exciting that inan age of x-boxes, God's creationand the simple sunflower still hadthe "wow" factor and the ability toexcite and amaze children.”

Anthony, team vicar in therectorial benefice of Llantwit Major,said, “Our Messy Church in Wick,called SPLAT, loved the idea ofsunflowers so we had some fundoing transplanting and have had ahandful of children growing themthrough the summer. In addition,one of our churches, Holy Trinity atMarcross, decided to embrace thewhole sunflower idea so that thisyear I've grown more than 400plants and parishioners have takenthem out to the community, someto the children in SPLAT and someto the local school, Wick andMarcross C-in-W Primary, andothers door-to-door giving them toresidents in the village. A row of

15 were grown by the village pub inMarcross, many gardens in thevillage had up to a dozen plantsand some were also taken toLlandow Caravan Park.”

“We recently completed judgingon a number of different categories(multiple heads, most like the Sun,biggest head etc) and what wasfabulous to hear when we went tojudge was just how much theflowers had been talked aboutthrough the summer and how theresidents had put such time andcare into their plants. It’s notbeen the easiest of years forgrowing tall plants, maybe becausethe soil was so cold for so longand the plants went into theground quite late, but it's beengreat fun. We might not quite beable to match the fields of France,but the sunflowers of Wick,Marcross and Llandow havegenerated their fair share of joyand smiles. And if we've been ableto bring a little of the light of God'screation into the lives of others,well then, we've all been blessed.”

Rev’d AnthonyBeer with one ofhis sunflowers

Ann Savage-Lewisoutside St Catherine’sChurch, Caerphilly

croeso Advent 2013 7

150th Birthday of formerIronworkers’ ChurchA small church originallyintended as a chapel ofease at an ironworks’quarry celebrated its150th anniversaryrecently.

Archbishop Barry joinedparishioners, sevenformer clergy from theparish andrepresentatives fromuniformed organizations,for a special Sundayevening service at StTydfil’s Well ChurchMerthyr Tydfil.

Known locally as theQuar Church, St Tydfil’s Well is in one of the oldest parts of the historic town, its surroundingstreets of small terraced houses built for workers at the Cyfarthfa Ironworks. The SecondMarquis of Bute granted a living for a “chapel of ease at the quarry” in recognition ofmissionary work in the district. The small barn-like building was kept simple with plain wallsand glass windows and a simple table upon which to celebrate Holy Communion. All serviceswere originally in Welsh. Over the years, the church has been lovingly enhanced throughgenerous donations by devoted worshippers.

Although built to seat only 250 people, St. Tydfil's Well has had a full and vigorous historyboth spiritually and socially. It is still held with deep affection within the parish and celebrationscontinued throughout the week. With its more modern approach to Anglican worship, this littlechurch is well equipped to bring its teachings into this new century. Dr Barry Morgan said, “Iam delighted that we are able to celebrate 150 years of worship at this church. A church is asymbolic building and symbols are important because they convey what we believe. Anyonecoming to this place can see that worship takes place here and will continue to be offered forfuture generations. Here is a community of Christians who believe that the Gospel hassomething to offer them and to the wider world.”

Flushed withSuccess inLlantwit MajorThe chains will soon be pulledon 25 new toilets inBangladesh, thanks to acollection of more than £1,500by parishioners in SouthWales.

The idea to buy toilets forthose in need began whenchildren at St James’ Church,Wick were thinking ofsomething to give up for Lentand realised that they could notimagine ever having to give upsomething as basic as a toilet.

So the charity ‘ToiletTwinning’ which works withlocal people to build safe, cleantoilets in countries that do nothave them, was chosen as aLent charity by the children fromSPLAT (the Messy Church inWick) and pupils from Wick &Marcross Primary school.

This led to it subsequentlybeing picked up as the chosenHarvest Charity by churchesthroughout the Llantwit Majorbenefice. The charity wasparticularly appropriate as itoperates in under-developedcountries including Bangladesh,which the Llandaff Diocese hasstrong links with through itstwinning with the Church ofBangladesh.

“We felt that with a singletoilet costing £60 and a schooltoilet block £240, there wasopportunity through our owncelebration of harvest to saythank you in a tangible way thatwould change lives,” said Rev’dAnthony Beer, who is team vicarfor the rectorial benefice ofLlantwit Major.

“In addition to the actualpurchase of toilets, the charityallows for the “twinning” oftoilets by providing a framedpicture of a toilet you havepurchased along with the GPSco-ordinates of the locationwhere your donation isgenuinely helping to transformpeople’s lives.

The churches across the

Benefice all adopted differentapproaches to the way theymade their own collections, butthese have added to collectionsalready made earlier in the yearin SPLAT and Wick andMarcross Primary school wherechildren saved to pay for threetoilets.”

Pupils at St Illtyd’s PrimarySchool also collected enough attheir Harvest Service for atoilet, and Llantwit MajorComprehensive’s schoolcouncil are to consider making‘Toilet Twinning’ theirnominated charity for the year.

“We want to say a huge thankyou to everyone who hascontributed to this year’sHarvest Charity. Each year ourBenefice chooses a nominatedcharity to support in order togive back a little from what wereceive so readily and at a timewhen we celebrate theabundance of food and drinkand other life necessities thatwe enjoy.

Helping those who can onlydream of having the things thatwe take for granted, seems likea good way of sharing God'slove and of saying "thank you"at the same time.

It’s quite frightening to thinkthat toilets change lives – butthey do. Amazingly as we stridethrough the second decade ofthe 21st century, for four out ofevery ten people in the world –that’s 2.5billion people – thereality of life is that havingsomewhere safe and clean togo to the toilet – well that is thestuff of dreams.

Experts also tell us that every20 seconds a child under 5years of age dies from waterrelated illnesses like diarrhoea -that’s more than AIDS, malariaand measles combined, and itamounts to 4,000 children aday (1/3 of the population ofLlantwit), 1.5million a year (1/2the population of Wales).”

Quilting enthusiasts gathered for festival

A quilting festival – displaying work both old and new from as far afield as America was agreat success when it was held in Cwmbach.

The festival organised by the Cynon Stitchers was held at St Mary Magdalene’s Church inCwmbach, in September.

Members of the group, which are drawn from throughout the Cynon Valley and who meetweekly at St Mary Magdalene’s Community Hall, had been hard at work for many monthscreating display pieces for the festival.

The festival featured many colourful examples of quilting from both the members and somefrom abroad. Money raised from the two day show was shared between the church andMacmillian Cancer Support.

“The festival was a great success and the quality of the work was exceptional. It was a greatpleasure for us as a church to be able to welcome and work so closely with the CynonStitchers,” said Revd Christopher Smith, the parish priest.

The Cynon Stitchers support many charities and local projects, making quilts for localhospitals and recently supported the Linus Project making quilts for trauma victims.

8 croeso Advent 2013

Tragedy remembered as Vicar’s music project wins awardFirst Anniversary of Cardiff Hit-and-Run TragedyThe first anniversary of a hit-and-runtragedy in a Cardiff suburb was marked by aspecial service in the Church of theResurrection, Grand Avenue, Ely, Cardiff.

A young mother, Karina Menzies, died and11 others were hurt at five locations in Ely,Cardiff, when a van rampaged through thearea on October 19th last year. The driver,Matthew Tyrdon, has been detainedindefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

The service became a focus for thecommunity in the aftermath of the tragedy.People gathered there to light candles, sayprayers and share their grief at the time andthen to mourn the death of Ms Menzies ather funeral. Rev’d Jan Gould, Priest-in-charge, said the service was a chance forpeople to come together to reflect andsupport those still affected.

She said, “The tragedy devastated ourcommunity last year and I think it’simportant that we mark this first anniversary.

Some of the victims were in hospital lastyear and so were unable to attend theservice we had on the weekend it allhappened. They have said they would like anopportunity to attend something in church asa way of helping them to ‘move on’.

“I hope this service has given thecommunity the opportunity to come togetheragain and show their support for thosewhose lives were completely turned upsidedown a year ago in that dreadful incident”.

It was a simple service reflecting on whathappened and then looking to the future.During the service there was an opportunityfor those who wished to light a candle – asimple gesture, when words fail - which is asymbol of prayer and solidarity with thosewho were victims last year, many of whomare still having hospital treatment for theirinjuries. Right: Rev’d Jan Gould lighting a candle

at the Church of the Resurrection

Feature on Vicar’s orchestraproject wins UK radio awardThe moving story of how onevicar’s vision to transformchildren’s lives throughorchestral music has won aprestigious national radioaward.

The Revd Jan Gould’sdetermination to give childrenon a city estate hope andambition by teaching themmusic and setting up anorchestra was the subject of aBBC Radio Wales programmewhich won the award.

The programme, “All ThingsConsidered – Making MusicChanging Lives”, was namedBest Easter programme in theJerusalem Awards. It waspresented by Roy Jenkins andproduced by Karen Walker ofthe Religious Programmesdepartment at BBC Wales.

Judges for the Awards,which encourage, promote andreward Christian broadcasting,described the programme as“moving and engaging”.

It focussed on the projectMaking Music Changing Liveswhich operates from the hallof the Church of theResurrection, in Ely, the Cardiffestate which regularly featuresin tables of multipledeprivation.

The project was the idea ofJan Gould, a professional violaplayer before she trained forthe priesthood, who wasinspired by the El Sistemaproject in Venezuela whichbegan by giving violin lessonsto street children. Jan felt if itcould work in Venezuela, thenit could work in Ely too.

From small beginnings, withJan teaching strings to ahandful of children three yearsago, the project now seesabout 70 primary school pupilsa week tackling a variety ofinstruments who would nototherwise be able to affordmusic lessons. They alsolearn music appreciation, visitthe opera, and how to be part

of an orchestra. Many of thechildren were witness to thehit-and-run incidents whichmade the national headlines ayear ago in October 2012, andit was then that the projectproved to be more than thesum of its parts.

Set against the backgroundof preparations for their EasterConcert, and with fundingrunning out, Jan Gould sharedher story of personal struggleand explained how the MakingMusic Changing Lives projectwas part of the ongoingResurrection story of new lifeand new beginnings.

Producer Karen Walker, whois donating the £2,000 prizemoney for the award to theproject, said, “It was a movingexperience and a privilege tolearn about the work that Janis doing with ‘Making MusicChanging Lives’. Whilstrecording I spent many hoursobserving the childreninteracting with their teachersand mentors as they learnedabout the world of music.

They were full of beans andtotally engaged whenmembers of the WelshNational Opera taught themscenes from the operaMadame Butterfly and Iwatched their earnestconcentration whilst learninghow to read and write musicand playing their musicalinstruments. And I was moved

to see the pride and joy intheir faces as they performedtogether in a concert in front oftheir parents.

“It’s an honour and aprivilege to have our workacknowledged at theJerusalem Awards, but I amparticularly pleased for Janand the Making MusicChanging Lives project.”

Jan said, “Everyone atMaking Music Changing Livesis absolutely thrilled at thenews that the ‘All thingsConsidered’ programme aboutus has won the JerusalemTrust Award.

“We all, children andteachers, had great funworking with Karen Walkerover the months it took tomake the programme, andwere really pleased with theend result of all that work.

Hopefully this award willincrease our public profile andalso give more weight to anyfuture funding applications wesubmit. We are grateful toKaren for her creativity inproducing the programme, andalso to the other organisationswho work with the Church ofthe Resurrection, Ely in makingthis project possible - theRoyal Welsh College of Musicand Drama, Welsh NationalOpera and Ely & CaerauCommunities First and theCommunity Foundation inWales.”

Cathedral Choirexcels in UppsalaNearly two years ago Llandaff Cathedral Choir was invited to be apart of the Festival of Young Cathedral Voices hosted by theCathedral of Uppsala in Sweden.

Llandaff Cathedral has had a Diocesan twinning with Uppsala forsome time and links are being further developed. There have been anumber of visits by clergy both ways and their organists weredelighted to see and hear the partly completed Nicholson organ in2010.

The Festival of Young Cathedral Voices was a tremendous comingtogether of eight choirs from all over northern Europe – Norway,Latvia, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Wales. Each choirhad half a concert of its own, and then the approximately 450massed voices joined together for a spectacular High Mass on theSunday celebrated by Archbishop Anders Wejryd. This serviceincluded a specially commissioned anthem called ‘Do what is Fair’based on the biblical text of the day, requiring five conductorsstrategically positioned around the Cathedral – all of which wasbroadcast live on Swedish radio. There is a link here if you would liketo listen to it:

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/avsnitt/264915?programid=945The Llandaff Cathedral Choir stood out as the smallest group, but

with a powerful and energetic sound that was magnificentlyenhanced by the glorious acoustic of Uppsala cathedral. Theirconcert programme included beautiful liturgical music that can beheard regularly at sung services here in Llandaff, such as‘Magnificat’ and ‘Nunc Dimittis’ in D by George Dyson, ‘As truly asGod is our Father’ by Welsh composer William Mathias andconcluded with the fitting ‘Evening Hymn’ by Henry Balfour Gardiner.During the High Mass, the choir’s communion anthem was the onlyone to be included in the radio broadcast, perhaps as they had thegreatest day-to-day experience of leading music during services athome.

All of the choirs were accommodated by hosts from the UppsalaCathedral choir families, giving them a wonderful experience with anopportunity to come together with people of different culturalbackgrounds with a commonality of church music making. There wasa tremendous atmosphere of pride in what the choirs do, how theyachieve incredibly high standards musically and how this culturalheritage is so intrinsically a part of church life past, present andfuture.

This incredible tour was something that showed Llandaff Cathedralin a really positive light and the contributions by the choir clearlyupheld the prestige of the Cathedral, Llandaff, Cardiff and Wales. Itwas an experience that the boys will remember all of their lives.

If you know a boy who would like the chance to have such amazingmusical opportunities as these, contact Richard Moorhouse, Master

Revd Jan Gould(centre) withproducer KarenWalker andpresenter RoyJenkins

croeso Advent 2013 9

Pioneering Plans to Revamp Valleys ChurchA landmark Valleys church has beenearmarked for an innovative £1.2million make-over to make it fit for the21st century.

The pioneering plans for St Elvan’sChurch in Aberdare, which towers as alandmark above the town, centre on acomplete refurbishment aimed atcreating a community heritage space tomake it more welcoming to thecommunity.

Proposals include creating space for acafe area inside the church, an arts andcraft centre, an exhibition area,additional rooms on mezzanine levels forcommunity use, a welcoming foyer areaand the provision of interactive historyfacilities. Some of the extra spacewould be created by the removal of thepews which would also create scope fortheatre groups, concerts and major towncelebrations.

It is envisaged that the cafe would belocated in the green aisle with amezzanine floor above containing aroom for hire for community groups. Agallery floor would be constructed fromthe bell tower – offering a further roomfor educational and community use. Inthe north aisle there would be an

exhibition space. A more welcoming glass fronted foyer

entrance would be created at the northdoor, with a reception and possiblytourist information centre. St Michael’sChapel, which has a memorial to thefallen of both World Wars, would offerinteractive history facilities about thememorial. Audio facilities would also belocated inside the church for people topick up and listen to the history of all thevarious windows. Outside, the groundswould be landscaped and a renewedthoroughfare encouraged, connecting thenorth and south side of Aberdare.

The outline plans have beenpresented to the Llandaff DiocesanAdvisory Committee and a bid for£500,000 submitted to the HeritageLottery Fund. “We want to create abuilding that the community can usemore than it presently does.

“We have created what we see as ourvision for the future which is all aboutbuilding bridges with the community,”said churchwarden David Lewis. “Thischurch, with its 180 foot spire, towersabove Aberdare and was central to itsdevelopment; we want to ensure that itis central to the continuing life of this

town. Despite our central position on the

mound and the huge tower, we havebecome invisible to the town and that iswhat we want to overcome by makingthis building more welcoming. We needto be more visible.”

Christina Davies, wife of Aberdare’svicar Rev’d Robert Davies, said,“Parishioners are all for these plans asthey see them as a way of rejuvenatingworship. There is the opportunity tohave an altar in the centre of the churchand interactive services which willparticularly make a difference for theyoung people. Already because of thenetworking we have done for thisproject, we now hold a lunch after masson a Tuesday provided by Meals onWheels – so the project is workingalready. We just want to create abuilding that is fit for purpose for 21stcentury worship for the town ofAberdare.”

Rev’d Robert Davies said, “The StElvan’s Heritage and Community Projectwill be a landmark project for the town,community and church in Aberdare,returning S.Elvan's Church to the townand ensuring its viability for the future.”

GALILEE CHAPEL MUSICAL OPENINGHarmony, tranquillity and reliefdescended on St. Illtud's Church inLlantwit Major on November 2nd,when the rebuilding of the GalileeChapel was officially completed.

The ribbon was cut by the oldestmember of the congregation, Mrs.Gladys Kilby, aged 94, with help fromour youngest parishioner, Violet, bornthe day before; almost a centurybetween them.

The response of the town and thebenefice to the event was magnificent -there was standing room only.

This has been a long time coming.The Galilee Chapel Project wasconceived during the celebrations in2000 of 1500 years of continuingChristian worship here, after Illtudsettled on the banks of the Ogneybrook, following the example of thedesert fathers of the Middle East.

The Vale of Glamorgan has manyattractions but is short of deserts, yetIlltud's hermitage grew into a majormonastery, school and mission centre.The only remains of the Celtic past thatwe have is the collection of crosses andcarved stones, placed together in theWest Church with a confusion ofstacking chairs, tables and the SundaySchool experience, described by onevisitor as "like a furniture shop" and"incidental junk."

On the west end of the church was aruined galilee chapel and chantry. Afterchantries were abolished, the buildinghad a mixed history, and eventually theroof fell in. The Heritage LotteryFoundation and other funding partnersenabled us to bring it back to life.

The project envisaged rebuilding the

chapel and moving the Celtic stonesinside, but not simply creating amuseum. Part of the former sacristywill be converted into a research centrefor the study of Celtic Christianity in theVale of Glamorgan, a region particularlyimportant in the Age of the Saints;witness Llancarfan, Llandough, MerthyrMawr, and others.

The church already receives visitorsfrom all parts of Britain, and every yearthe Visitors' Book records tourists orpilgrims from 20-30 different countries.We will now be able to offer them amore fitting welcome, with tea and toiletfacilities. (Wherever you come from,it's a long way to Llantwit.)

Moving the crosses, and then theeffigies, will improve the West Churchfor the spiritual and social life of thechurch and the eight other churches inthe Benefice, and offer facilities for thepeople of this expanding town -Llanilltud Fawr, the great church ofIlltud.

The opening ceremony was the startof a few days which were a showcasefor local talent. Saturday saw fourhours of music from local choirs,soloists and instrumentalists, followedby a concert featuring the Vale choir,the Atlantic Chorale and the Tarltonfamily -- Anthony (violin, Welsh NationalOpera Orchestra), Sally (piano) and Ben(cello, the Yehudi Menuhin School).

Our Sunday Service welcomedArchbishop Barry Morgan, who re-dedicated the Galilee, and ArchdeaconPhilip Morris, who gave us much tothink about as the custodians of thisnew expression of our faith. In theevening a traditional Cymanfa Ganu

rounded off a tumultuous week end. Wednesday, November 6th, St.

Illtud's Day, brought children from allthe local schools, including theComprehensive and the Church Primaryschool in Wick, to express their views ofCeltic Christianity through music,poetry, acting and Powerpoint. St. Illtudis alive and well at Llanilltud Fawr.

A lifelong tribute to the occasion hascertainly been put in place by builderLee Mayes,who enjoyedworking onthis, his latestchurchrenovationproject, somuch that hehas had alastingremindertattooed onhis arm. Leealready had anendless knottattoo on hisarm which hehad designedhimself, buthas had thehead of theSamson Crossinked inabove. TheSamson

column and Latin inscriptions fromanother cross are underneath.

Vivian Kelly

For a copy of Archdeacon Philip’ssermon at the service of re-dedicationof the Galilee Chapel and a video of theproject, please follow the link from theparish of Ewenny’s websitehttp://parish.churchinwales.org.uk/l353/news-3/

10 croeso Advent 2013

GLIMPSES OF GLORY St George’s Church, Cwmparc, Rhondda Fawr

Snapshots of lesser-known churches in the Diocese and their hidden treasuresHigh up on the slopes above theRhondda sits the village of Cwmparc,‘its streets tunnelling relentlesslyacross the valley slope above thecolliery sites’. (John Newman) A largevillage – population 5k in 1923 – itwas built to house the workers of theParc & Dare collieries, opened byDavid Davies of Llandinam in1865/1870.

Although chapels were built, thevillage had to wait until 1896 for theopening of its Anglican Church of StGeorge. However, two houses in thevillage had acted as a meeting placefor worship prior to this.

St George’s is a surprisinglyimpressive church to be found in aWelsh mining village, and this isexplained by its founder and patron,the widow of Griffith Llewellyn of BaglanHall and Pentre House, owner of theRhondda Engine Works. Griffith andMadelina, whose father was aSwansea copper magnate, were thechildless benefactors of severalchurches, including Baglan and Pentre.In 1896, Madelina Georgina, now awidow, commissioned diocesansurveyor George Eley Halliday to buildthe new church in Cwmparc.

The dedication, an unusually Englishone for a mining village, is perhapsderived from her own name, or that of afamily member who died young. Thechurch consists of nave and southaisle, separately gabled, with chanceland south tower, built in dark Pennantsandstone, a striking structure rearingup amidst the steep streets and littlehouses. Unlike many buildings in thevalleys which suffer from subsidence,the seams under the church were neverallowed to be worked, so its sits,safely, on a solid bedrock of coal!

Inside, the dark stone persists withunplastered walls, Doulting stonedressings around the windows. A

hardwood hammerbeam roof soarsoverhead. At the west end of the nave,and rare in an Anglican church, is alarge immersion font or baptismal pool,now hidden under boards, and rarelyused, even in its early days. It was,however, opened up and decorated ata flower festival in 2006. Severalchurches in the valleys, and one or twoin Cardiff, were built with immersionpools, possibly in response tocompetition from the Baptists! Thewide south aisle has arcade archeswith mouldings dying away into lozenge-shaped piers. The pulpit and font arein greenish-grey Bridgend Quarellasandstone. Around the nave walls arecarved Stations of the Cross, dedicatedin 1994 in memory of former vicar FrLawrence Miles. Glass in the nave isclear, but the south aisle has twostained glass windows, one a warmemorial, and one in memory of aformer vicar who died in 1920, showingJesus surrounded by children. Theeast end of the aisle was convertedinto a Lady Chapel in 1973, its fittingsdesigned by an artist from thecongregation. An unusual Celtic crosshangs on the east wall, with, to its left,a relief of the Virgin and Child in buffstoneware clay.

The floor levels rise into the chanceland sanctuary, reflecting Madelina’s(and Halliday’s) preference for highchurch worship. The broad chancel archis flanked by two smaller ones, asimple but unusual design. Sturdychoirstalls flank the chancel – thoughtoday the choir is somewhat smallerthan it was! – and above the high altaris a pink alabaster reredos, withoutfigures, but with delicate gabling andcrocketing, designed by Halliday andcarved by Clarke of Llandaff. A piscinaand aumbry are fitted into a south-eastwindow splay, another of Halliday’s Arts& Crafts touches. A fine east window

shows the crucified Christ between StGeorge, the church’s patron, and StJohn the Evangelist, the lattersomewhat of a mystery, as, when thechurch opened in 1896, it was adaughter of the parish of Ystradyfodwg,whose old church was dedicated to StJohn the Baptist! Did someone make amistake?

The church, without a vicar since thesummer, has a small but dedicatedcongregation, and maintains a highchurch tradition. No female priest hasyet celebrated there, but who knowswhat the future may bring?A successful flower festivalwas held in the summer,and a Christmas TreeFestival is planned for lateNovember. The church hallis well used, including for aBaby & Toddler group, and afortnightly Disco for youngteenagers. Work is underwayfor the Christmas Fayre,always a great success, lastyear raising over £2k. Sadly,the small but committed

Mothers’ Union has lately lost itsbeloved leader, Mrs Pat Rees.

The church’s main Sunday service isa Sung Solemn Mass at 11 am, with aWednesday Low Mass at 9.15 am.

For more information, or to visit thechurch, please contact one of thewardens:

Mrs Denise Smith tel: (01443)772992

Mr Kevin Staveley email:kevin.staveley@btinternet.comWe thank Denise and Kevin for an

informative visit and a warm welcome.

The story of Ty TeiloThe diocesan day retreat house, Ty Teilo, has closedits doors for the final time after a farewell servicepresided over by Archdeacon Bill Thomas. Theformer stable block of the Georgian rectory atLlandow which had been transformed into an award-winning retreat house, shut in October after 15years. Rev’d Canon Peter Leonard, who was wardenalong with his wife Tyann, tells how the retreathouse came into being.“Forty years ago, I was a new Christian, and my wifeTyann and I felt called to welcome people to aChristian house of hospitality. With experience ofworking with historic buildings, I thought such abuilding was to be found in the vicinity of Llandow butwould need a lot of work. Nothing came of it; I wentoff to train for ordination and on my return, we bothstill felt our calling concerned welcome.

The offer of a parish in the Rhondda was followed byeight happy but busy years in Cymmer and Porth, withlittle time left for pursuing what was becoming a dream.And then the unexpected happened: a parish in theVale, with a large parsonage that might fit the role ofthe house of hospitality. We and others who had heldthe vision with us felt that the time for moving forwardhad come.

“There was money in the diocesan accounts from thesale of the buildings of the St Teilo retreat house inRoath, Cardiff, so the funding for something similar, in

the name of the diocesan patron, St Teilo, was stillthere. I felt the call to ministry when I lived in Roath, andthis apparent synchronicity alerted us to the stirring ofthe Holy Spirit. One thing he did was to call four menand one woman into the priestly ministry from the parishof Roath at the same time. Another pointer to the Spiritmoving was the fact that the possible house ofhospitality at Llandow was located within a mile ofLlandow Rectory.

“The vision was to prove correct with regard tolocality, albeit wrong by 27 years when it came totiming. But Bishop Roy Davies sent me to Llandow withthe injunction that I was not, as a priority, to create aretreat house, but that I was to love and nurture thepeople of the parish. I willingly accepted the role andthere was scope for parochial ministry to be enriched bythe visitors to the Rectory. The Rectory, although large,was not adaptable to the role of hosting retreats, but itbecame clear that the old stable block might well be.

“This became the Millennium Project of the diocese,so well done that Ty Teilo, as the building came to beknown, was to win the award at the National Eisteddfodfor the conversion of old, small buildings to new uses.Since then hundreds of people from the diocese andbeyond have come and spent time with us, enjoyingthose elusive qualities of hospitality and welcome thatwas envisioned so long ago.

“Bishop Roy said that Ty Teilo was the most

significant thing he had done as a bishop, and anotherinstance of synchronicity showing a fresh outpouring ofthe Holy Spirit was that Bishop Roy and Ty�Teiloflourished and died at the same time, and I and Tyannhave moved on to retirement ministry. The story of TyTeilo may yet have more chapters, and the DiocesanSpirituality Group – who have successfully made Ty Teilotheir base – may well be called to publish them.

“The opening of the Galilee Chapel in St Illtyd’schurch in nearby Llantwit Major as one of the great andso-called ‘thin places’ where God may be approachedand known, suggests that a new beginning may yethappen. The final chapter is yet to be written or read.”

croeso Advent 2013 11

croesoThis edition has been produced by the editorial team: Rev’dCaroline Downs (Convenor), Rev’d Mike Lewis, and Jean Rose, AlisnYoung with contributions from people in all parts of LlandaffDiocese. Please send your articles, stories and pictures for the nextissue to: Rev’d Caroline Downs, 6 Newminster Road, Roath, Cardiff,CF23 5AP or, preferably by email to: croeso@llandaff.org.uk Letters,articles and features should be typed and where possible,submitted on computer disk saved as Word or text files. The nextissue will be published on Thursday 6th March 2014. The copydeadline is Tuesday 18th February 2014. croeso can also be seenat our website www.llandaff.org.uk where other articles aresometimes published when demand for newspaper space has beenhigh. croeso is funded by the Diocesan Board of Finance and is freeto parishes.

Check out our web-site www.llandaff.org.uk

How Mission to Seafarers began with One Visit by One ClericSouth Wales Port chaplain Rev’d Nick Jones tells us what we can do to help todayOver 150 years ago the Mission toSeafarers was born when a cleric inSouth Wales discovered that shipsanchored in the Bristol Channelreceived no visitors.

So Rev’d John Ashley decided to skipa parish appointment in 1835 andbegan to take ministry to those aboardships anchored near Flat Holm andSteep Holm.

Although over the years the title ofthe organisation may have changedfrom the original Bristol ChannelMission, the work carried out remainsthe same - to care for the spiritual,moral and physical wellbeing ofseafarers and their families worldwide.And what began with one visit by onecleric has now grown into aninternational network of lay andordained chaplains at around 260 portsin 71 countries, with 120 of theseboasting Flying Angel Centres for use byseafarers when in port.

“Chaplains and volunteer visitors visitseafarers aboard ship, which isespecially important where ships mayspend a very limited time in port,” saidRev’d Nick Jones, the South Wales Portchaplain. “Chaplains can be available tohelp seafarers who work in unsafeconditions, receive poor, insufficientfood, and face denial of medicaltreatment; and to help repatriatestranded seafarers from abandonedships.” In Wales, Flying Angel Centres,of which there are three in South Wales,provide a place where hospitality can beshared with off duty seafarers, offering

facilities to contact home as well asfood.

“Part of my role is to make the workof the mission known more widely inWales, as well as to encourage thechurch to support financially this arm ofits mission. I know from personalexperience how working away fromhome can be lonely and trying. It isseafarers who enable us to enjoy about95% of the products we consume in thiscountry, including clothing, cars,petrol/oil and many foods, and so it isimportant that we support them.

“Seafarers are an important, butoften overlooked, element in enablingour society to operate. Today many ofthose seafarers come from thedeveloping nations such as Indonesiaand the Philippines. They can becomparatively poorly paid and yetengage in one of the most dangerousoccupations in the world, and are 26times more likely to be killed at workthan any shore-based worker.Loneliness and stress are amongstfactors that mean the rate of suicide istriple that of other occupations. Manycrew members may be contracted towork away from home and family forfrom 8 – 18 months. Amongst thedangers faced by seafarers, the onethat has attracted attention of late isthat of piracy, particularly off the coastof Somalia, with 439 ships beingattacked in 2011 and 297 in 2012.How can individuals or churches help?• Prayer - a diary is available• Donations and giving (Mission to

Seafarers depends entirely on voluntarydonations)• Volunteers for assistance at shipvisiting, driving seafarers in theminibus, helping at one of the centreswith the bar or just being on hand towelcome

“Mission is the staple of the church.Often the first thing people think ofwhen talking about mission is thechallenging aspect of going abroad. Butin the work of the Mission to Seafarers,the world comes to our shores and theMission to Seafarers can empower thelocal church to be involved in its

ministry. By engaging or assisting thework of the Mission to Seafarers thelocal church is not just helping theMission, not just helping seafarers, butalso helping itself in fulfilling the call togo to all nations; Christ’s charge to Hisdisciples.

If you would like to know more of thework of Mission to Seafarers thenplease check out the website:www.missiontoseafarers.org

If you would like me to speak to achurch group or to preach then pleasecontact, Rev’d Nicholas Jones atnicholas.jones@mtsmail.org

All Saints’ Church BarryPull Out All the Stops!Archbishop Barry visited All Saints on 24th November 2014and re-dedicated the organ in a service which included theopening of the commemorative ‘Book of Donors’, along with aphotographic record of the restoration work .

A display recording the many fundraising events that tookplace during the appeal was also on show.

The All Saints’ Organ Appeal was launched in May 2011, in abid to raise £70,000 for major repair and restoration of theirhistoric pipe organ which dates back to 1915 and was built byEvans & Barr of Belfast.

The Fundraising Committee put together a programme ofevents to raise the funds. Various groups within the churchvolunteered, ranging from sponsored walks, autumn lunches, acraft fair, model railway display, a historical talk, harvestsuppers to Viennese coffee mornings, cake sales, a MusicalMinis party and line dancing . All Saints’ Primary School held afundraising children’s disco and The Little Blue Deli supportedwith a Eurovision Evening and sponsored cake eating.

Larger fundraising events included a Three Choir Concert withBarry Male Voice Choir, Barry Ladies Choir and All Saints’ Primary School Choir, and Last Night atThe Proms with the Cardiff Concert Orchestra. Other highlights included Music & Monologues,organised by Gill Davies and her players, a Christmas Concert with the Cardiff Concert Orchestraand Superstars in the Making under the Directorship of Christian Bullen, and finally Amicia ChoralGroup. Special merchandising was designed and sold as souvenirs of the appeal as well asChristmas cards, which included the winning designs from a Sunday School Christmas CardCompetition.

May 2012 saw the launch of the Pipe Sponsorship Scheme in aid of the appeal, in which bothparishioners and members of the community were invited to sponsor an organ pipe(s) in memoryof a loved one, or to commemorate a special occasion such as an anniversary, wedding orbaptism. This element of the appeal raised £11,889 with 91 donors.

Restoration Work began in June this year and was fully completed by the end of October. Pipeswere removed, re-painted and replaced, soundboards repaired, draw stop machines overhauledand choir and trumpet magnets replaced. The bellows were re-leathered. The wind system was re-designed and re-positioned, with new motor and trunking installed.

The Rector and Fundraising Committee would like to record grateful thanks to all those who havesupported the appeal , enabling the restoration work to be concluded , thus ensuring continuedprovision of this important musical heritage for current and future generations.

There will be a free lunchtime organ recital on Saturday 1st February 2014 to celebrate therestoration of the organ and to thank all donors and supporters.

All Together Now!On occasions it’s important that all our clergy and officers spendtime together to learn, share, support and grow; no easy task whenwe have over 130 busy clergy and a large staff team!

So we gathered in the wonderful setting of Christ Church, Oxford – aunique place where Cathedral and college rub shoulders, where theCathedral is also the college chapel and where ‘Cathedral time’ runsfive minutes later than ‘college time’!

The four day ‘Clergy Conference’ entitled ‘Leadership for mission intoday’s church’ included such topics as engagement withcontemporary communities, a vision for the future, from maintenanceto mission and being a mission church and a welcoming church.

Thank you to Rev’d Dr Anthony Rustell, our Director of MinistryTraining, for all his hard work in organising a super event. Some of thefeedback received from the event is shown below.“Thank You! for lovely and inspiring worship throughout. Thank You! forlovely hospitality from Christ Church”“Hospitality, accommodation and setting were first class. Worship waswonderful and inspiring... Angela Tilby was wonderful”“The best conference/clergy school so far... our whole Bible studygroup very positive”“Setting, welcome, hospitality, organisation: all excellent”“Group time was good. Morning prayer was lovely”“Christ Church was excellent! Let's go back!”

Produced by the Department of Communication of the Llandaff Diocesan Council for Mission and Ministry © Llandaff Diocesan Board of Finance

croeso has been creatively designed &printed by Mersey Mirror, The Foundry,36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS Tel: 0151 709 7567 email: post@merseymirror.com

CAPTION COMPETITION This edition’s winning caption is: “Isn’t that my tickling stick David?”Charlie Sage, Laleston

Please send in your captions for thisphotograph (right) before Tuesday February18th 2014Answers by post to: Croeso 6, NewminsterRoad,Roath, Cardiff CF23 5AP or by emailto croeso@llandaff.org.uk

12 croeso Advent 2013

Book Review

Real God in the Real WorldAdvent and Christmas readings on the coming of Christ - Trystan Owain Hughes

Trystan Owain Hughes latest offering, following on from‘Finding Hope and Meaning in Suffering’ and ‘TheCompassion Quest’, is a book with a very seasonal flavour.’

‘Real God in the Real World’ explores the incarnation ofChrist as anticipated in Advent and actualised at Christmas,using daily readings, and with guidance to using the weeklythemes in an Advent study/discussion group. Though topical,the book makes clear that the coming of Christ is ofoverwhelming importance all the year round. Just as churchdoesn’t end on a Sunday, the love of God is propagated bythe incarnation into every area of our lives, a strong theme ofintegration and personal encounter permeating the book.

Through references to popular culture, academic theologyand the author’s storytelling, he highlights opportunities tonotice God in the festive period. We can be grateful forluxuries, company, the beauty of nature - appreciative alwaysof the small things we experience. With the right attitude wecan even appreciate that which isn’t in all its glory, just asJesus looked compassionately on the conventionallyunappealing. This will be of great reassurance to those whofind Christmas lonely or stressful.

As in his previous books, the author reminds us of thehelpfulness of mindfulness techniques. Through using all oursenses to fully notice our experience, we are able to remainin each moment of our waiting, enjoying and starting anew.Through being present in the current moment, we are moreopen to the coming of Christ and ‘recognising his wonderfulfingerprints in our everyday lives.’

As in Trystan’s other books, he stresses that offering

compassion and service are ways in which Christ canbe brought into the world today. This is not broughtabout by Christian status or elevated religiousstanding, but by the fact that all are called to usetheir gifts in service of God. Despite ourimperfections we can still open the door to thewaiting Christ who has not given up on us. Theconsideration of Holman Hunt’s ‘The Light of theWorld’ emphasises the idea that real authority comesfrom a personal experience of God, not one imposedon us. In a culture so valuing of individual choice andautonomy, this will only serve to increase the book’spopularity amongst those more wary of externalauthority.

The opening-up to Christ we experience atChristmas is not however presented as easy. Theauthor emphasises the bravery, humility and strengthrequired to perceive Christ and bring his example toothers, and this is validating for any reader who findsthe journey of faith hard. We can find inspiration andstrength - beyond the individual, autonomous self -shared by wider humanity and the whole naturalworld. We might miss what seems to be the thrustof this advent book – that discrimination betweenourselves and others, the human and divine, thereligious and secular, is misguided. We may notalways see it, but like the salty ocean, the love ofGod is dissolved into the substance of our lives.Hughes warns against putting too much store inlaws, and demarks the Christian tradition as growingout of and away from more prescriptive traditions, yetfrom this book you may in fact identify a greater lawin God’s love.

Christ himself, a synthesis of the human anddivine, serves as a reminder that it is not a question

of either/or when we confront problems such asreturning to work after celebrating Christmas, ortaking our faith away from the church setting. Insteadwe can have an integration of ‘Real God in the RealWorld’, and notice Christ in all elements of our lives.

James Downs

In addition to the new book, Trystan, now vicar ofChrist Church Roath Park, was runner-up in theUp-and-coming Blog of the Year Award in the NewChristian Media Awards announced this week atthe Brewery, London. He started the blog inFebruary this year and writes around three timesa month, and has been delighted by itspopularity. He aims to show how hope, meaning,faith, and compassion are still very much alive inthe world around us, and has recently coveredsuch diverse topics as rock music and faith, gaymarriage, the horsemeat scandal, religion andpolitics, prisons, and women bishops. The bloggets 100s of hits each day, with posts beingshared widely on facebook and twitter, and ismost popular in the UK, the US, Australia,Germany, and Sweden. Trystan is delighted withhis runner-up award!Trystan’s blog can be found atwww.trystanowainhughes.com/blog

Deputy Assistant VirgerThe Dean and Chapter of Llandaff Cathedral are looking tooffer Casual Employment to suitably qualified candidate(s),who wish to be considered for the role of Deputy Assistant

Virger.Appointment will be made by a letter of confirmation,

following successful interview, and subject to the satisfactoryreceipt of references and a clear DBS check.

Rate of Pay: £9 per hour for up to the first 42.5 hours workedin any one week; £13.50 per hour for any hours worked in

excess of 42.5, in any one week. The offer of work hours will vary from time to time, according

to the needs of the cathedral – with no obligation on thecathedral to offer work, or on the appointee to accept work

that is offered.For more information, and an Application Form, please

contact:The Administrator, Cathedral Administration Office, Prebendal

House, Llandaff, Cardiff CF5 2LA or email:admin@llandaffcathedral.org.uk

Dean and Chapter of Llandaff CathedralOctober, 2013