Open to God
A moment of change and renewal
Welcome to the Year of Mission.
The year – two years actually – will be built around a major set-piece event to take place at the Carmarthenshire Showground on July 23rd., the Saturday of Pentecost 2026. The Sunday will then be an opportunity for churches to celebrate in their own localities.
![Sheridan James [Diocesan Conference 25]](https://stdavids.contentfiles.net/media/images/Sheridan.width-500.jpg)
Sheridan James, Canon Pastor at St Davids Cathedral, provided details of the plans set out by the working group that will oversee the project in a presentation to the Diocesan Conference.
“It’s all about renewal and growth,” she said. “The idea is to help us be more missional and outward focused.”
At the heart of it all lies Code F: Celebration, Outreach, Discipleship, Evangelism, Fellowship.
These themes will run through the whole enterprise, both at the Pentecost showpiece and – more importantly perhaps – the activities and events held within each LMA between now and the end of 2027.
And it’s the local, church-led initiatives that will be key to the Year of Mission’s success. Canon Sheridan stressed that these don’t necessarily need to be different from some of the things happening already – prayer groups, bereavement groups, discipleship groups, pilgrimages all qualify within one or more of the Code F categories. All that may be required is some extra energy, organisation or commitment.
It will need to be a team effort, she said. And the management team behind the Year of Mission will be on hand to provide advice and support to any LMA that finds it all a bit overwhelming.
“But I honestly believe that if we can generate intentionality about Mission, then shoots will grow,” she added.
Open to God has been inspired by Bishop Dorrien and mirrors an event held forty years ago by his predecessor and mentor, Bishop George Noakes.
In his presidential address to conference, he urged churches to “move forward with courage and compassion. We are co-workers in God’s service.
“Our mission must be collaborative, to make the Church not only relevant but vital to those both within and outside our walls.”
Watch Canon Sheridan's conference presentation in full