Author: SynodCymru

The Revd Dr Ian Morris, Morgannwg Area Leader and Deputy Chair of Synod Cymru, was very busy during the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells between 21-24 July 2014. Ian is a member of the Ecumenical Agricultural Chaplaincy Team that works from the Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales) tent during the Show. The chaplains are available to offer help and support to competitors, staff, visitors and anyone one else who is in need of a listening ear. Because of his doctorate focussing on milk production in cattle, Ian had a background that is of help to him in his work, and he enjoys it as well.

The Revd Dr Ian Morris at the Royal Welsh Show 2014

This year’s Methodist Conference was held in Birmingham from Saturday 28th June to Thursday 3rd July. Five representatives from Synod Cymru, including the Chair, joined with hundreds of other people to pray, worship, discuss and decide about the life of our denomination. More information about the Conference is available at www.methodistconference.org.uk

Since it started in 2009 The One Programme has provided the opportunity for young people to make the difference in their local community and in the Methodist Church in general. It was established as part of The Methodist Church Youth Strategy to enable the valuable and unique contribution of young people to the life of the Church.

The scheme is a great opportunity for people aged 16 to 23 to learn and develop as disciples of Jesus. One Programme Participants (OPPs) are placed in a local project to work 15 hours a week on average but with some connexional (national) responsibilities and attending training events. They are paid a living wage.

Taking a gap year is often referred to as ‘taking a year out’, but with this programme the emphasis is laid on ‘taking a year on’ by using the year to make a difference. Nearly 70 young people have taken part, in a variety of projects around the country. Through this programme both churches and individual lives have been changed.

One young person from Wales is currently taking part in the programme. Kat Freeman from Rogerstone is on placement at the Youth Café in Burry Port in the Llanelli and Carmarthen Methodist Circuit. Kat says: ‘Working on The One Programme this year has been totally life changing. The experience and training has been fantastic and it has definitely shaped me for the future.’
You can discover more about the programme by visiting The Methodist Church website www.methodist.org.uk/mission/children-and-youth. You can also download the new booklet ‘Taking a Year On’ of inspirational stories from many young people who have participated in the scheme.

The roof of Horeb Chapel, Colwyn Bay, in Dyffryn Conwy Area, was raised on the night of Monday 19 May as the Avanti television company recorded ten hymns for S4C’s ‘Dechrau Canu, Dechrau Canmol’ (‘Start Singing, Start Praising’). Five of the hymns will be broadcast during the Remembrance Sunday 2014 programme, and five in the Saint Dwynwen’s Day programme in January 2015. All who were there had a good time, and the producer was very pleased with the singing. Thanks to Phil Edwards, a member at Horeb, for his vision to hold ‘Dechrau Canu, Decharau Canmol’ in Colwyn Bay.

The Pilgrims in Nantglyn

The sun shone as some fifty people enjoyed the Synod Cymru Historical Society Pilgrimage 2014 on Saturday 17 May. The pilgrims visited Denbigh, Nantglyn, Bathafarn Farm and Ruthin. The Reverend Martin Evans-Jones gave two talks, the first on the story of how the Methodist cause in Denbigh began and the second on Edward Jones of Bathafarn, a pioneer of Welsh-language Methodism. In Nantglyn, the pilgrims had the opportunity to see “The Pulpit on the Tree” where tradition tells that John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, preached, and to hold a short service in the parish church.

The Pulpit in the Tree

With generous hospitality in Denbigh and Ruthin, and good fellowship throughout the day, everyone learnt a great deal about the history of our denomination. It was a day to remember. Thank you to everyone, especially to Robin Jones of Bethel for the arrangements.

The Radio Cymru Service that was broadcast on Sunday 11 May 2014 at the start of Christian Aid Week was led by Delyth Wyn Davies, Learning and Development Officer of the Methodist Church. The theme of the service was ‘Jesus, the gate for the sheep’. While telling the parable of the sheepfold, Jesus said, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.”
In the service there was the opportunity to explore not only who Jesus is but also who we are as his followers. The lectionary readings for the Sunday were used, being Psalm 23, John 10: 1-10 and Acts 2: 42-47, along with prayers and responses to ther readings from the Christian Aid Week service, Welsh prayers from the ecumenical worship and learning resource ‘Roots’ and the Prayer of God the Saviour from the Black Book of Carmarthen with the response:
We praise God’s ever-increasing mercy – Christ is a strong shepherd, honoured for ever.

 

 

A good number of members and friends of Salem, Eryrys (Glannau Maelor Area) attended the chapel’s final service on Easter Sunday afternoon. Despite the sadness of the occasion, there was a sense of Easter hope and of trust in God’s promise of new life. The leader and preacher was the minister, Rev Marc Morgan, assisted by Mr Gron Ellis, Rev Bryn Jones and Rev Jennie Hurd. Mrs Bronwen Gough played the keyboard. Following the service, there was the opportunity for conversation and the sharing of memories over a cup of tea.