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.

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.

Priest

‘Priest’ comes from the Greek word for ‘elder’. Priests in the Church in Wales are those authorised specifically to proclaim forgiveness of sins, preside at the Eucharist and bless God’s people, as well as other responsibilities.

Home Pobl Dewi - September 2025 A Cyber-success story

A Cyber-success story

The Online Church of St David started in 2020 when we couldn’t meet in buildings – but what has developed is a true worshipping community of people from West Wales, the UK, and around the world. Andy Dixon logs on.

A screen full of faces greeting each other as people join. After a few minutes we are muted and the screen changes to the order of service showing the liturgy and our time of worship begins.

Several of us are housebound and cannot enter a church building very easily or at all; some are abroad and join us from different time zones; some are travelling and join from car parks or motorway service stations. Several had been living locally but have moved away and wish to keep in touch with old Christian friends.

On screen we are led through the service based on Anglican liturgies, adapted to the season or occasion, with different people leading, praying and reading. Then a chance to sing along with the best choirs, groups and musicians using hymns and worship songs from around the world. Now we stop screen sharing and either one of us or one of the retired clergy from around the UK who we invite to join us, preach or share a reflection. (we only invite the best!).

People from hospital beds, or whilst looking after grandchildren, can all be with us (being muted means that background noise does not interrupt). Recently we have been privileged to be led by a couple of people in the last few days of their lives.

Each month we focus on one project, charity or case of special financial need for our giving - we have no building or other financial burdens to worry about. Holy Communion is led by a retired priest and we are each able to receive our bread and wine consecrated by the words of the priest and the intentions of all our hearts.

Finally, a blessing then chat in breakout rooms where we get to talk to different folk each week. Some wave goodbye and leave. There is no need to be seen or speak and one can just join quietly and leave, if you are with us the first time to give us a try.