Dictionary

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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.

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 Pobl Dewi: March 2024 Lifetime experiences, bangin’ tunes

Lifetime experiences, bangin’ tunes

Revd Sophie Whitmarsh considers the future for Children, Youth & Families work in St Davids Diocese and brings news of the recent Rend Collective concert.

I have been in post now for two years. In that time, I have seen 19 out of 24 Local Ministry Areas, spent time with individuals and groups who love Jesus and want to share that love with others, seen young people come to faith, and seen the power of prayer as more young people grow in faith and friendship, through wonderful events and activities provided by committed people.

I have been privileged to work alongside some wonderful people and I am looking forward to the future, as we move into a new and exciting era under the leadership of Bishop Dorrien.

Over the coming months I will be revisiting LMAs and visiting those I’ve yet to see. I will be offering help, support, resources and grant funding help for those who would like it, so watch out for my email.

In the meantime, keep an eye open for Youth Pilgrimage updates, information about other events, and don’t forget, you can always subscribe to my quarterly newsletter for more up to date information. Email sophiewhitmarsh@cinw.org.uk to subscribe or invite me to your LMA/Church to support you.

Most recently, we took a group of young people to see Rend Collective, at the Great Hall in Cardiff Students Union. The experience they had will last a lifetime. In this diocesan Year of Salt & Light, the connection made by Rend Collective between worship and the call to action was helpful for us to draw faith, action, and worship together in our own churches and lives back at home. We were witness to interactive worship, that connected to scripture, allowed space for teaching and for testimony, bringing alive faith which can often feel so disparate from the world in which we live. In between the learning, there was a huge amount of familiar and new “bangin’ tunes” some “bonkers dancing” and “high energy singing your heart out” that led us all to feel closer to Jesus and full of the Holy Spirit, whilst ready to step back into our lives and put into action all that we had heard and seen.

The Youth Action Group will be meeting once a month online. If you are aged 16-25 please join the group and help us make a difference in the diocese. Email me for more information.