Dictionary

Words on this page

Advent

Advent means ‘coming’ and is the special four-week period leading up to Christmas. It is a time to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’s birth but also for his coming in glory at the end of time.

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.

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’).

Ecumenical

The Christian Church is divided due to different interpretations of the faith and different religious practices. The ecumenical movement promotes dialogue and understanding between Christians and works for visible unity.

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.

Home Pobl Dewi: December 2025 A New Ministry of Welcome

A New Ministry of Welcome

A new ecumenical community of belonging has taken root in West Wales. Neil Hook issues an invitation.

Launched in September 2025, the Haverfordwest Open Table offers a spiritual home for LGBTQIA+ people, their families, friends and allies, embodying the all-embracing love of Christ at the heart of the Diocese of St Davids.

This new community is part of the ecumenical Open Table Network (OTN), a growing movement of thirty-nine communities across the UK. It is only the second currently operating in Wales, created through local collaboration between the Church in Wales, the United Reformed Church, the Methodist Church and other denominations, all united by a vision of full inclusion in the life of the Church.

Meeting in Haverfordwest on the second Sunday of each month at 6.30pm for ninety minutes, Open Table provides a space for reflective and affirming worship, centred on a service of Holy Communion followed by a free shared meal. The services are designed to be accessible, blending traditional liturgy with contemporary prayers and music.

The community is built on the scriptural conviction that the table of Christ is open to all, reflecting St Paul's words that in Christ, "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female" (Galatians 3:28).

The community has already marked the seasons of the church together, sharing a joyful Harvest Communion in October, Remembrance Communion in November and an Advent Communion in December.

The Open Table in Haverfordwest currently serves all of West Wales including Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. This is a vibrant and timely new ministry for the diocese. As we step into a new year, this growing community extends a warm invitation to all. Whether you are seeking a spiritual home, exploring faith, or wishing to stand in Christian solidarity, you are welcome.

To learn more or to get involved, please contact either of the two Anglican Community Leaders: Neil Hook (neilhook@cinw.org.uk) or Luke Spencer (lukespencer@cinw.org.uk).