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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.

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.

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 Choral Evensong revived

Choral Evensong revived

Grants are available to help more churches include this often neglected form of service in their schedules. St John the Baptist's Church in Ystrad Meurig is the latest to take advantage.

Thanks to information obtained by Mrs Gayle Jeffrey, Tregaron Church, we were made aware of the financial support offered by the Choral Evensong Trust to help churches celebrate their patron saint's feast. Although the number of applications far exceeded the funds available, thanks the generosity of the Trust, all applications were funded!

The Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist was celebrated at Ystrad Meurig Church with a service of Choral Evensong in June, preceded by a strawberry tea with entertainment by Motje Woolf and Tim Lee, two experienced musicians.

Holy Trinity Choir @ Ystrad Meurig

The singing at the service was led by the Holy Trinity Church Choir, Aberystwyth, and the service was only possible thanks to their enthusiastic willingness to visit the church. We were blessed with the presence of two talented organists, Darryl Walters, the church organist, who played the congregational parts, and Daniel Smith, from Holy Trinity, who accompanied the choir.

The anthem sung by the choir was Jesu joy of man's desiring. The music for this song was composed by J.S. Bach around the same time that local boys started to be taught at Ystrad Meurig – which later became the prestigious school of Ystrad Meurig, and subsequently St John's College. It was lovely to sing one of the hymns written by the School’s founder, Edward Richard, namely Mae Crist â peraidd, lwysaidd lais

The guest preacher was Revd Canon Aled Williams who has had a close association with Ystrad Meurig for many years. At the end of 2024, Aled published his book Ysgol Ystrad Meurig 1757-1973 which was launched at the Edward Richard Centre in the presence of the Bishop of St Davids, Dorrien Davies. This volume documents and preserves the school's invaluable contribution to the Church in general. (see our review on P16).

Naturally, Aled mentioned the book during the service, and said how proud he was to be able to return to Ystrad Meurig and sit in the chair of the famous Edward Richard. His address, however, focused on John the Baptist. Comparing John to a shooting star, he encouraged us to be inspired by John's charisma, his dedication to the Truth, and his faithfulness in constantly referring to the Lord Jesus.

It was also a privilege to welcome The High Sheriff of Dyfed, Mrs Ann Jones, Llanddewi Brefi, county councillors, priests from the Local Ministry Area, and friends from nearby churches and chapels to join in the celebrations. One of the last pupils of the school was present in the congregation, namely Father Timothy Pearce, who is now a priest with the Greek Orthodox Church! This was a blessed and purposeful service to mark a very important occasion.