A supplement to our quarterly diocesan newspaper
Sadly, we are not always able to include everything we receive for publication. PD Extra provides an opportunity to:
- browse articles which got squeezed out but which we hope you agree deserve space
- include additional material for articles that did appear but in edited form
- translations into English of selected articles printed in Welsh
December 2019
Page 3: Dod i adnabod ein gilydd / Get to know each other
One of the challenges facing Christians in newly formed Local Ministry Areas is how to enable people to get to know each other better. Lyn Dafis outlines one successful example in the Bro Padarn LMA
One of the big changes following the establishment of local ministry areas across the diocese is the need for us as Christians to get to know each other better. Where we used to live in a sheltered existence, meeting ‘out of parish’ people at most once or twice a year, now joint meetings, collective worship, co-operation are going to become a normal part of our church life. For that to be effective we need to get to know each other better.
In the Local Ministry Area of Bro Padarn this attempt has gone hand in hand with establishing a system of quarterly services to bring Welsh speakers together to worship regularly in the various buildings of the ministry area. In preparation for these services, faces become names, and names become familiar faces.
With the support of the dean of the ministry area, the Revd Canon Andrew Loat [pictured centre], I, together with a retired cleric, Revd Canon Enid Morgan, have planned four services for the year. In these services, a traditional order was mainly followed. But the aim was to keep in touch with what has sustained us spiritually over the years but not let that restrict us in the present.
For our inaugural service held on St David’s Day this year we invited a guest preacher, the Venerable Dorrien Davies, Archdeacon of Carmarthen [pictured left]. But for the other services we have turned to different members of the ministry team to preach. Members of the different congregations have also served by reading and leading the invitations.
Not all congregations in a particular church can follow a Welsh sermon and therefore for such members simultaneous translation is provided so that they can be part of the welcoming team. This service is much appreciated, and is also a means of experimenting with a different approach to being a bilingual church.
As the ministry area moves from crawling to walking we may get to know each other in many other ways, but there is no better way to begin to know than to worship Christ together. Thanks to all who have enthusiastically supported this initiative so far.
(translation of article written in Welsh)
Page 12: Cathedral Library Events – books ancient and modern
Mari James, Development Officer for the St Davids Cathedral Library, looks back at a highlight of the library’s 2019 programme and ahead to another in 2020, the launch of a new history of the Church in Wales to mark its centenary.
Read Mari’s article in full + launch day programme
Page 16: WWII: An evacuee’s story
Millions of children who were evacuated during the Second World War found being wrenched from their families traumatic. But for some it was a wonderful adventure – and returning home was the challenge. Today, more than seven decades after the end of the war, many evacuees are only just telling their stories for the first time.
Albert Smith is one such. He told his story to Revd Shirley Murphy
Read an extended version of Shirley’s article
September 2019
Page 1: Croeso Cascob
On 5 August 2019 Canon Andrew Loat became a member of the Gorsedd at the National Eisteddfod held at Llanrwst. He becomes a member by examination. Congratulations are due to him for his success. Andrew will be known in the Gorsedd by his bardic name, Cascob. (translation of caption)
Page 2: Interview with Archdeacon Eileen Davies
(translation into English of extended article written in Welsh by Revd Lyn Dafis)
A few months ago, Ven Eileen Davies was inducted as Archdeacon of Cardigan. This meant a big change for her, of course, but it will also be a big change for the diocese of St Davids.
Over the years Eileen’s name has been linked very closely to the ministry to rural areas and the agricultural industry through her role as Rural Life Adviser. She has now left that post, but as archdeacon she will still have a connection with that ministry.
Page 3: Faith on the Art Trail
(extended version of an article by Revd Dr Caroline Jones)
Since becoming a Curate in the Amman Valley village of Garnant, Caroline Jones has been surprised – once more – how effective art can be as a tool to help underpin our meditations, reflections and workshops.
She describes how she puts this into practice in her ministry, including a parish visit to the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.
Page 4: Dathlu mewn dull traddiodol / Celebrating in traditional style
(translation of article written in Welsh by Eluned Rees)
On Sunday night, 16th June, a Welsh language service was held to celebrate Trinity Sunday in Christchurch, Carmarthen. The idea for the service came from Archdeacon Dorrien Davies, to try and resurrect the Singing Festivals of the past, and a Committee was set up to make the arrangements. The theme of the service was I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. A large part of the service was sung, and a leaflet containing the hymns to be sung was distributed beforehand. The Archdeacon and Revd Delyth Richards officiated at the Eucharist, and an appreciative congregation came together to worship in the Welsh language. Canon Suzy Bale, at her harp, set the quiet, holy atmosphere to commence the service.
Cor Plygain Llandeilo
The Côr Plygain from Llandeilo, under Rhian Morgan’s guidance, sang, including Taize chants and a Summer carol ‘Mwynwen Mai’. In place of traditional prayers, there was an ‘interview with God’ , led by the Head Girl and Head Boy of Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Lowri Rowlands and Siôn Roberts. The guest preacher was Canon Eileen Davies. The Archdeacon congratulated her on her imminent installation as Archdeacon of Cardigan two days later. The ladies of the church had prepared refreshments, which provided an opportunity for socialising and an opportunity to thank those who had taken part in this most uplifting service.
Page 11: Revd Ingrid Rose – Chaplain at Hafan y Waun MHA Home / Caplan yng nghartref Hafan y Waun
Revd Ingrid Rose
(translation of article written in Welsh)
God’s calling is strange sometimes. The amazing, spiritual journey spanning thirty years since I was ordained a deacon and then a priest in the Church in Wales has been exciting. I’ve now been called to be a chaplain at MHA Home, Hafan y Waun in Aberystwyth. Hafan y Waun is home to nearly 90 residents with varying degrees dementia…
Page 13: Under threat in India
Christians are under threat in India, as Hindu extremists are increasingly persecuting them for their religion.
A series of persecution incidents has raised concerns for many Indian Christians following the re-election of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Since the BJP claimed a landslide victory in India’s national election, International Christian Concern (ICC) has documented at least seven attacks against Christians in just two weeks. Shirley Murphy interviews an Indian national who wishes to remain anonymous for security reasons:
Read an extended version of Shirley’s Pobl Dewi article
EXTRA: St Padarn’s Summer School
From 21-26 July, all those in formation for licensed ministry across the province joined together for the annual St Padarn’s Summer School held at the University of South Wales Trefforest, Pontypridd. St Padarn’s Tutor for St Davids Diocese, J-D Laurence, enjoys the week. Read J-D’s report
EXTRA: Llangwm – a new pilgrimage route?
2019 has been a year of pilgrimage for St Jerome’s in Llangwm, adults and children alike.
St Jerome’s has also become the starting point for the 100km “Way of St David” pilgrimage route to St Davids, following the coast path from Neyland and Milford Haven through to Dale, Little Haven, Newgale and Solva.
EXTRA: The Tiles of St Davids
The medieval pavement of the presbytery of St Davids Cathedral is among the largest collections of late medieval tiles anywhere in Wales,
The tile patterns at St Davids were copied at the time of the restoration of the tower and presbytery by the architect Gilbert Scott in the 1860s, and may be found in front of the altar rail and along the north and south choir aisles.
A special new piece of work by Martin Crampin, based one of its tile patterns, was recently exhibited across all of the churches taking part in the 2019 Art on the Faith Trail in Pembrokeshire. The constituent parts of a circular design, comprising sixteen ‘tiles’, were distributed concurrently across the eight churches and St Davids Cathedral in the form of canvas prints.
The whole piece will be shown together with more new work by Martin Crampin, also based on the medieval tiles, at an exhibition in the Cloister Gallery, St Davids Cathedral, 22 October – 4 November 2019
Project website
https://teiliautyddewi.martincrampin.co.uk
Art on the Faith Trail https://stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/news/2019/06/diverse-art-in-sacred-spaces
EXTRA: News in brief
Cardigan Mothers’ Union held a Strawberry Tea for the Summer of Hope Appeal, to celebrate the start of summer and raise funds to bring hope to families around the world. Funds will enable us to change the lives of thousands across the planet: educating mums in Burundi, bonding families in Northern Ireland, uniting communities in South Sudan. It’s only a drop in the ocean of the £127,000 needed, but we raised £250.
Pictured (right) is Revd Joel Barder, the well-loved curate from St Mary’s Church, Tenby, before his departure to his new parish of Carew, with his wife Eleri and children Eliana and Tirzah.
Joel has been a delightful curate, especially influential with the CYC Youth club. He is pictured with Sundayfunday Club and CYC members, who sang a song composed by them all. He was also presented with a hoodie, which said how an ‘Awesome vicar’ should look, by Isaac and Eilidh. A delicious coffee cake was baked by Lucy for the presentation, along with cards and a framed song read out by Jack, to put in his study in his new home.
Joel will be missed very much but will only be a few miles down the road.