The Annual Vestry Meeting of SOUTH CARDIFF MINISTRY AREA takes place on Wednesday April 26th at Ss Dyfrig and Samson, Grangetown at 7pm. Here is a brief overview of 2022
Churches: St Mary’s Church, Butetown, Ss Dyfrig and Samson, Grangetown, St Paul the Apostle, Grangetown, St Saviour’s Church, Splott
In the Beginning…
January 1, 2002 marked the formal beginning of South Cardiff Ministry Area as part of the Diocesan restructuring. The Ministry Area Transition Team, consisting of membership across the four churches, MA (Liz Norman and Rachel Williams) along with Subwardens for each of the parishes, whilst Glyn Perryman continued as the appointed Lay Chair. Julian Jordan was appointed as MA Treasurer and Iris Musa as MAC secretary. Each parish continues to hold its own Bank accounts. However, we have also established a central Bank Account into which each parish pays a contribution for MA expense including payments for the Parish Share.
Moving On
From the outset, the MAC were concerned that we move gently through the year and onwards in our life together, as we explored ways of working together. There was a need to allow the Ministry Area to grow naturally and gradually, showing patience and discernment. The shortness of this report can by no means witness to the amount of work that has been accomplished. Rather, it is offered as a brief oversight, and comes with gratitude to all who have helped us achieve so much.
Many people within each of the Churches may have noticed very little difference to life within their own congregation as we were concerned to have a smooth transition. In 2022, each church/congregation had been given the freedom to continue with its own rhythm of life, whilst we explored and discerned ways of working and growing together.
Since the latter half of 2021, the MA has been without a third member of the clergy team and, in 2023, we also said farewell to Fr Chris Lee who retired as part time and non-stipendiary minister. We are also indebted to the ministry of our retired clergy, Fr Martin Williams and Fr Jeff Williams, and also Fr Colin Sutton, all of whom have been so helpful. Despite being understaffed for the whole year, we have managed to both maintain the pattern of ministry and enrich and develop it.
In Focus
Following a number of Focus Groups (on areas of work such as Worship and Prayer, Children and Young People, Community and Social Justice, Christian Nurture, etc) the MAC began working on a Vision Document setting out our aims and objectives for the next five years, and this is still a working document, although many things within that document have already begun. The final version of this document will be shared with the MA in 2023.
Worship
Worship is at the heart of our life together, and the integrity and traditions of each church were retained during the year. We experimented with various shared celebrations and opportunities (including a Lent group) which began to inform the direction we would take in 2023 but Sundays very much continued as normal.
Community
Our work with and for the wider community is extensive and continued to grow during 2022. We mention such work as our involvement with Citizens Cymru of which we became subscribed members (the first – and at present, only – MA in the Diocese to do so). Our participation in Community Organising means that we have been involved in such important projects as the Youth Endowment Fund (preventing youth violence and helping young people to flourish in Grangetown and Butetown) and Croeso Butetown (the Community Sponsorship Scheme for Refugee families) and several other important campaigns and activities. We continued to support and contribute to Cardiff Foodbank and we run two sessions in Splott. An amazing Refugee Week began a new initiative in the MA, and the Faithful Butetown project was trialled in the Autumn. Various Community Coffee Mornings across the MA provided both a means for social gathering and community cohesion whilst also, on many occasions, helping to fundraise for many concerns both local and global. There are so many other things that we could mention, whether that’s Bingo and Lunches, our involvement in Interfaith Work, repairing and maintaining our buildings, the creation of our MA website and the use of social media and livestreaming, concern for environmental issues and caring for our outdoor spaces, or utilising our buildings for so many community groups.
Challenges
We are mindful that during 2022 we began the recovery from the COVID pandemic, and there are many issues from this period which continue to affect society and our churches. We are also experiencing the cost-of-living crisis which has both financial implications and so many other concerns and anxieties associated with it.
Life Together
However, we believe that South Cardiff Ministry Area has made a great start to our new life together, and there is so much to look forward to, and many opportunities for ministry and service, growth and action, so that we can be a creative, caring, welcoming and resourceful community of faith which makes a difference in the communities of South Cardiff.
The Financial Report is available in a separate document.
Report of Diocesan and Deanery Conferences will be given verbally at the meeting, along with other information.
Ministry Area Leader: Fr Dean Atkins; Vicar: Fr Edward Owen; Lay Chair: Glyn Perryman; Vicar’s Warden: Liz Norman; People’s Warden: Rachel Williams; MAC Treasurer: Julian Jordan; MAC Secretary: Iris Musa
Agenda for the Annual Vestry Meeting 2023
Opening prayers Chairman’s introduction Apologies for absence Acceptance of Minutes of the Last Meeting Annual accounts Elections and appointments - Churchwardens - Sub wardens - MAC members Appointment of an External Examiner Reports from Deanery and Diocesan Conferences Any Other Business – notification to be given beforehand Closing prayers
South Cardiff Ministry Area 