2022 Conference report
Disciples on the Pilgrim Path
Saturday October 1st, 2022
Nant-y-Ffin Hotel, Llandissilio SA66 7SU
On October 1st., for the first time in three years, members of the Diocesan Conference met face-to-face to discuss the past, present and future.
The first task was to approve next year’s budget. However, the Vice-Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF), Tim Llewelyn, said this was still “work in progress”.
“This is the first time we have not had a balanced budget,” he said, a situation he described as “worrying”. Income was projected at £4,8m while expenditure was likely to be £4.9m. However, Mr Llewelyn assured Conference that the DBF would be addressing the situation as a matter of urgency in an attempt to balance the books and would report back.
Roose LMA Council believes the level of ministry share is too high. It proposed a motion requesting Conference to advise the DBF to consider limiting its budget so the amount asked of churches per Average Sunday Attender be lower than £750 per year.
The motion was lost (For 30, Against 52, Abstentions 25) but nevertheless the DBF undertook to look at the matter at its next meeting.
The principal presentation of the day was an introduction to the forthcoming Year of Pilgrimage (YoP), which runs from Advent 2022 and is the third in a triennium which began with the Year of Prayer and has continued with the Year of Discipleship.
The Dean of St Davids, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, gave an overview of the year ahead which, naturally, will centre around the cathedral. The Education & Pilgrimage Officer, Janet Ingram, also outlined a programme of events that will encompass the whole diocese and encouraged LMAs to get involved in whatever way they choose.
More details, introductory videos and regular updates can be found on the YoP page of the diocesan website: https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/en/faith/2023-the-year-of-pilgrimage/
One landmark project had a presentation of its own. Revd Dr Caroline Jones is compiling a unique record of St Davids Diocese in 100 Objects. The idea is to tell the diocesan story using 100 objects from 100 of our churches and so tell it to…pilgrims who can use it as a touring guide on their individual (or group) journeys.
Conference also welcomed news that the diocese has been awarded an Eco Church Bronze Award for its progress towards its target of becoming Carbon by 2030.