Dictionary

Words on this page

Bishop

‘Bishop’ comes from the Greek word for ‘overseer’. So a bishop is a senior Christian minister authorised to have oversight for God’s people. As well as duties given to deacons and priests, bishops confirm and ordain.

Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Holy Communion

At Holy Communion blessed bread and wine is shared, by which we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The congregation gives thanks for Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection and his continuing presence. See also Eucharist.

Liturgy

Liturgy is a set form of words and action used for worship. In the Church in Wales (and many other churches) these forms follow the same pattern from one congregation to another. Most Anglican liturgies look back in some way to the Book of Common Prayer.

Prayer

Prayer sustains our human relationship with God and may involve words (formal or informal) or be silent. Prayer can involve adoration (‘I love you’), confession (‘sorry’), thanksgiving and supplication (‘please’).

Home For clergy and members Covid-19

Covid-19

Satuday June 6th

Ministry Share: An open letter from the Chairman of the DBF

Plant Dewi Project Update

SURVEY: CORONAVIRUS, CHURCH AND YOU

The Covid-19 pandemic has obviously had a profound effect on churches. The lockdown has severely restricted ministry in areas such as pastoral care, fellowship groups, and serving the community. On the other hand, for those with online access, worship has taken on new and creative forms. Many clergy and ministry teams have risen to the challenge of operating in the virtual environment.

As we pass the most severe period of lockdown, it seems a good time to assess how churchgoers have responded to the experience, and what they think the future might hold. How well have people coped with the pandemic? Has it strengthened or weakened their faith? How has it been for clergy and ministry teams trying to work in this new environment? How have those receiving ministry found this novel experience? Will virtual ministry become part of the post-pandemic landscape, and will this be a good move for your church?

The Church Times has developed a survey, in association with York St John University, which it's hoped will enable you to record your experience of the pandemic, the ministry you have given or received, and what you think will happen to churches in a post-pandemic world.

This is an online survey, which should take about 20-30 minutes to complete. Most of the questions simply require you to tick boxes, though there are options to specify your particular circumstances, and an opportunity at the end for you to give your views in your own words. Alongside questions about the pandemic and ministry there are sections which ask about you: these are important because they will demonstrate how the lockdown is affecting different sorts of people in different contexts.

The survey can be completed on mobile phones, though it is more quickly completed on devices with larger screens such as tablets or computers.

Take the survey

Emergency services

Bishop Joanna is recording daily services of Morning and Evening Prayer

You can watch or listen to all of Bishop Joanna's emergency services on the St Davids Diocese YouTube channel.

With the country in lockdown, it may be that households and individuals wish to have a resource they can use for a Sunday service (or any other day for that matter).

So, each week for the time being, a crisis Morning Prayer will be published. This will have all the readings and a homily incorporated in it, so it can just be printed out or read from a screen. This is an adaptation of the Church in Wales’ Daily Prayer 2009. The forms of blessing etc. are suitable for a lay person to use. At the end are suggestions for hymns. All the instructions about standing sitting etc. are optional. The traditional form of the Lord’s Prayer is included but feel free to use the version you are most familiar with.

We are also publishing the homily and readings in a separate document for those who wish to incorporate them into their own services.

Download:

Trinity Sunday (Word)

Readings & Homily for Trinity Sunday (Word)

Night Prayer (Word)

Compline with the Bishop of St Davids

The Bishop of St Davids, Joanna Penberthy, leads a service of Compline for people wishing to share in worship at home at the end of the day. This video has been produced in response to the self-isolation necessitated by the Coronavirus emergency.