It's all go!

Late September was a busy time at Eglwys y Santes Fair, Aberystwyth.

On the morning of Sunday 23 September, we had the opportunity to celebrate 50 years of ordained ministry by the Reverend Canon Michael Lloyd Rees, a faithful member of the church.

Born in Llanelli, Michael was ordained in St Davids on 21 September 1974 by Bishop Eric Roberts. He served as curate with Canon Alfred Joseph Davies in Cardigan with Mwnt and Ferwig and was commissioned minor canon in St David’s in 1977. He also ministered in Henfynyw, Aberaeron and Llanddewi Aberarth along with many other parishes during his ministry. He was commissioned canon at St David’s Cathedral in 2009 before retiring in 2015.

But do vicars ever retire completely? Well, not Michael! He continues to assist in the Aberystwyth Local Ministry Area (LMA) and in more exotic places than west Wales as well! He serves as a locum with the Diocese in Europe in places such as Tenerife, Costa Almeria, Costa Del Sol, Lanzarote and Madeira.

We as a church and as a LMA congratulate Michael on marking half a century of faithful service to the Lord and wish him every blessing for the future. It was great to celebrate with tea and cake in church.

The following Sunday, 30 September, Jamie Medhurst was commissioned as a Worship Leader in the LMA (and Eglwys y Santes Fair in particular) by the Archdeacon of Cardigan, Ven. Eileen Davies. Jamie is a Church Warden and also helps out on the organ from time to time. By day, he is Professor of Film and Media at Aberystwyth University, but has long felt a calling to serve in the church. Jamie has had a very ecumenical journey during his life - a Baptist in his home city of Newport, he joined the Congregationalists when he came to Aberystwyth as a student in 1986. And now, following his confirmation in 2019, he is a very proud Anglican.

Jamie leads and preaches at Eglwys y Santes Fair when the vicar (and Area Dean, Revd Canon Mark Ansell) is unable to attend and also takes morning prayer services at the church every Monday morning.

The church and the LMA wish every blessing for Jamie’s work in Aberystwyth.

By the way, there is scant opportunity for church members to rest – with a traditional Plygain service on the evening of 11 December and a carol service for learners on 15 December, there is enough going on to keep everyone on their toes at Eglwys y Santes Fair!