Dictionary

Words on this page

Baptism

Baptism involves declaring faith in God and being washed with water. It means being cleansed from sin, being united to Jesus Christ, receiving his Holy Spirit and becoming God’s children. Sometimes called ‘Christening’.

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.

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: September 2024 Brush up your Liturgy

Brush up your Liturgy

Help is at hand for clergy and laity who wish to improve and gain confidence in their use of the Welsh language in services. The new diocesan Bilingualism Officer, Dewi Roberts, explains.

I consider it a privilege to be invited by Bishop Dorrien to become the diocesan Bilingualism Officer. After accepting the invitation, I’ve been wondering how to make the most of this honour and opportunity.

The Church in Wales is a bilingual church where both Welsh and English have equal status. Parishioners are entitled to receive the communion, baptism, marriage and burial services in their chosen language.

The Church in Wales’ Language Scheme (2008) encourages all churches in the Province to use as much Welsh “as is both appropriate in the circumstances and reasonably practical” within their context, and to ensure that the Welsh language is visible, not only in the church, but also on signs, service leaflets and websites. I hope that we can promote a positive attitude in our use of the Welsh language and realise that the use of Welsh is not only beneficial but a key element of our mission for Christ.

I am aware that the use of Welsh varies over the diocese and that clergy and lay people vary in their ability to conduct services through the medium of Welsh. And while there is a desire by clergy, readers and worship leaders to conduct more services bilingually, or to include more elements of the liturgy in Welsh, a lack of confidence or a lack of regular training is holding many back in their use of the language. Therefore, I intend to organise a number of sessions during the autumn so that clergy and lay people can gain confidence in conducting services through the medium of Welsh. If you wish to improve your use of Welsh, you can contact me via e-mail at the address below

I am also keen to provide an audio recording of all parts of the liturgy in Welsh, including the collects, for anyone who wishes to hear the correct Welsh pronunciation of the liturgy.

A Welsh Language Conference is in the process of being organised by the diocesan Language Committee. You will find out more as the arrangements and preparations for the Conference are completed.

I look forward to working with you all. Please contact me at the following e-mail address for more information. dewiroberts@cinw.org.uk