Dictionary

Words on this page

Anglican

Anglicans form the family of Christians closely related to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Whilst tracing their inheritance back to Christ and the earliest Christians and to the ancient Roman Catholic church, the sixteenth century Reformation was a crucial moment for Anglicanism.

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’).

Evangelism

‘Evangelion’ means ‘good news’. Evangelism is about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection in the hope that others may come to believe in and follow Jesus.

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.

Home Pobl Dewi: December 2024 Showing a better way?

Showing a better way?

Robert Moore reports from the September Governing Body meeting

As we strive to follow Christ, and preach Him Crucified and Resurrected, there are real emotions and pain involved. As our Icelandic colleagues would say Enginn verður óbarinn biskup (No one becomes a bishop unbeaten) and I would be surprised if anyone present left not having been impacted by the hard hitting presentation from Open Doors on the Persecuted Church.

A little closer to home, and more trivial in comparison, Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, highlighted the disagreements that still exist amongst members of the Communion. Bishop John acknowledged the pain that has been felt as we move into Ministry Areas.

The tensions of a world, and church, that is struggling to marry the old and the new were raised alongside how our use of Social Media is as often a challenge to unity than a source of it.

Discussion around the review into the faculty process went as expected.

And I do hope St Davids and Bangor have managed to exchange Christmas Cards this year.

But coming away from this meeting, I was inspired by the sense of hope and commitment that exists in answer to all these problems.

Responding to April’s GB debate, the accepted changes to clergy terms of service should help sustain us whilst we exercise our ministries dealing with our changing Church.

The Bench - alongside the Chair of the RB – re-iterated that the Province is committed to giving LMAs the tools necessary for evangelism and mission to make their work a success.

Members were also encouraged by Bishop Poggo’s experiences to build bridges rather than dams.

Ultimately, as Archbishop Andrew asked members, where do we put our trust? Are we willing to engage in sharing our stories with respect so that, as we discern together, we remain open to being challenged and extended, prepared to pull together across LMA, Diocese and Province.

Building on that theme, Archdeacon Paul Mackness, in his bible study, encouraged reflection on our gifts, other people’s gifts and how we fail to recognise and encourage them, and so hinder building a stronger Church. For, as we aspire to the greatest position of spreading the good news of Jesus, we will face difficulties, but as long as we draw together, trusting to our hope in God’s action in the world, we can make a difference.

“Now we are the Body of Christ and individually members of it…But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way”