On Wednesday, the Ministry Area Council met, during which the following Ministry Report for the last quarter was presented by Fr Dean. It offers a brief and general outline of some of the main areas of ministry being carried out on top of the regular and routine.
MA Appointment: At present, the MA job profile has been sent to the Bishop. Once she agrees, it will be sent to the designers which usually takes about ten days so I hope they may be able to advertise in October. Some of us attended the recent celebration in Radyr for the beginning of Fr Edward’s Ministry there, and I’m grateful to all for the Farewell event and the gifts presented.
Mass Times: The new arrangements for Mass on Sundays and through the week have now been in place for some weeks, and we will continue to reflect on and review how things are working. Whilst we have cover arranged up until Christmas, it’s possible, of course, that on some occasions things change or people become unavailable, and this is already the case for Christmas when Fr Jeff is now unlikely to be available.
Mass of the Sick and Eucharistic Adoration: We have reestablished the Mass of the Sick in St Mary’s and St Saviour’s – however, I suggest we will now spread these monthly celebrations across the MA during the first week of the month, alternating between the three churches. It’s currently difficult to introduce this to the Wednesday Mass at St Paul’s because of the school Mass. I will also explore doing the same with the monthly time of Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer.
South Wales Walsingham Pilgrimage: a number of pilgrims from the MA joined other more seasoned pilgrims for the first time this year, and we have already begun to take bookings for next year. Our vision states that we will promote and encourage participation in the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage, and this year a number of young people from St Saviour’s joined the diocesan group. It was a transformative experience for them, and we will welcome pilgrims from other Ministry Areas at the next OMG! event. My thanks to all who contributed in any way to the Assumptiontide Festival in August, which also took place on the same weekend as the Penrhys Pilgrimage which a number of people from the MA participated. Likewise with the Glastonbury Pilgrimage which took place in July. We are looking forward to the October Devotions at St Mary’s next month on October 12th
November Requiems: Each of the daily Masses will be available for people to request that we offer in it in memory of a loved one. All Souls’ Day takes place on Saturday November 2. There is the usual 1130am Mass at St Mary’s but would like guidance on other provisions across the MA. All Saints Day is Friday November 1st and, again, welcome some response from the MA.
St Saviour’s Liturgical Space: The change in the liturgical space at St Saviour’s is working well. The new seating has enhanced the space which has been slightly reshaped, and now looks welcoming and spacious, and the Blessed Sacrament moved to the High Altar which itself has also been slightly moved to create a better sense of space. We have also moved some of the statues and other items.
OMG! This event continues on regular occasions. The next is on Sunday September 22 at 5pm with a barbecue at St Saviour’s Church. We’re also planning ahead for October and November.
Schools: it’s always great when the new School Year begins, and pupils from both St Paul’s and St Mary’s are now back at the Wednesday morning Masses. There is also a weekly School Assembly at St Paul’s School, and less regular assemblies at St Mary’s. There are a few other celebrations too, such as whole school Mass, Harvest and Christmas. Members of the Governing Bodies include people from the MA, and a new Foundation Governor application has been made by Elen which the MAC is asked to accept. I am grateful to Elen and to all who serve as governors.
Moorland Primary School and Ysgol Glan Morfa are also visiting St Saviour’s at Christmas, and we continue to engage with Moorland Primary school on various activities, which will also include the Day of the Soup in January 2025 for the Great Winter Get Together.
Faithful Butetown: we received a grant through the LA from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and commissioned two videos for Faithful Butetown, as well as acquiring three banners. The project is developing slowly, and the next two stages are to promote it further among schools and recruit young advocates to help deliver the day, as well as other volunteers from the MA. During Refugee Week, we worked with hundreds of school children from five different schools which also, for the first time, include Grangetown Primary School.
Refugee Week: it’s seems a long time ago now, but we had another amazing Refugee Week in June which is now firmly established in the diary, as is the Great Get Together and Windrush Day, and as well as the programme of events at ST Mary’s, participated in events across the MA in Grangetown and Splott.
Women Seeking Sanctuary: it hasn’t proved possible to meet with Trustees of the group during the summer due to challenges on their side of things, but I intend to pick this up over the next few weeks.
Ministry to Older People: This week, we are adding another Nursing Home to our list of those being visited to provide a time of prayer and worship. Both Shire Hall and Bella Vista will now be visited monthly. We also have three members on the Management Board of Moorland Community Centre which provides meals and time together for older people in Splott.
Buildings: St Mary’s and St Saviour’s both need to attend to their heating systems, the work at St Mary’s being more substantial, and by the time of the MAC Meeting, we will have met to begin to move forward in making decisions and seeking funding, and also to provide alternative heating in the meantime. We have also begun conversations with Splott Volunteers, as we tentatively explore possibilities for redeveloping St Saviour’s but these are in very early stages. I’ve also done some groundwork which may help with finding a focus for grant funding. We received work to the gardens at St Mary’s, but have refused to pay the invoice because of the quality of the work and I am in (slow) discussions with the contractor. There is no progress on the part of the Church in Wales in regard to the former St Paul’s Church. At the moment, there isn’t the capacity for me to explore any possible projects or partners but when a new MA Vicar is appointed, there may be more time.
Citizens Cymru /YEF: Next week, we have our Core Team meeting, and we continue to meet to review many of the interventions which are taking place with the Youth Endowment Fund. Some interventions are now well established, whilst others are still in the process of being implemented. We remain in a stalemate position with Croeso Butetown as we continue to seek appropriate housing.
Homelessness:
Cargo House: whilst people have been generously donating to the welcome parcels for new residents next to St Mary’s Church, the LA are yet to move on the initiative which will provide accommodation for families experiencing homelessness. There are a number of repair works to be done to some of the homes, but this has not yet begun.
Llamau: Following a meeting with Charles Sloper from Llamau, and then a Justice Café session with him, we have been exploring ways in which we can support their work, in particular in terms of fundraising, and to this end would like to adopt the charity as our Advent and Christmas appeal.
Homelessness Sunday: This takes place on October 6, which we will reflect in our prayers and preaching, and also use it as a means of introducing and promoting the work of Llamau.
Homeless Memorial service: we are presently negotiating a date and time for this which will take place some time in late November at St Mary’s, and are working together with John Stark from the Salvation Army and The Choir with No Name.
Safe Streets: I’ve been involved in a number of conversations and meetings around safe streets, particularly in regard to drug taking and drug dealing. One of the things being discussed at the moment at many different levels is safe drug consumption rooms which is a contentious issue for some, but we have been able to be part of this exploration which is ongoing. The hyperlocal meetings at St Mary’s School are proving useful and we have our next meeting next week, where we deal with a number of important issues and concerns to the school but which are also of relevance to the whole community.
Macmillan Coffee Mornings are taking place at various times in each of the churches in September and October
Interfaith Week This takes place during November, and there will be events in Cardiff and beyond including November 14: a Celebration of Faiths and Unity at the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Llanishen. I have also been working on a document with other Interfaith Officers of the Church in Wales on ministering in multicultural and multireligious settings as part of EION, and reflects my experience working in the multicultural communities of South Cardiff. The document is now with the Bench of Bishops.
Wales/Alabama Visit: next week, we are participating in the visit of people from Birmingham, Alabama to strengthen links between Cardiff and Wales and the community there who, in the 1960s were the victims of a terror attack. A memorial window was installed there, designed by a Welsh artist and funded by Wales, including our own communities. There are visits to the church and school, Butetown Community Centre and a formal reception at the Senedd.
Mission to Seafarers: I have met with Rufus Noy, the new chaplain, and explored future possibilities and involvement. I will invite him to preach at some point, as we begin to foster relationships with the MSF. He is exploring a number of things, which may fit into all that we are doing and hope to do, particularly in the Bay area of the Community, and have talked about a Sea Sunday Celebration in the Bay (which some may remember we did some years ago).
Black History Month: although BlackHistory365 is a whole year of events, celebrations and awareness raising, Black History Month takes place in October and which we will mark in some small way. We have also been asked to participate in a funded project with the Cultural Exchange to capture the experience of Faith in Butetown which will also, we hope, capture the diversity of our community.
More in Common Community Cohesion Group – the latest ‘Common Room’ event took place at Grange Pavilion when the guest speaker explored extremism online, and how to recognise and encounter false narratives. It was extremely insightful and helpful. We have an online gathering in November, and we are already beginning plans for the Great Winter Get Together, particularly with the Day of the Soup. I continue to be the Chair of the groups as it continues to grow and develop.
Children’s Ministry learning community: It may be useful for those involved in children’s ministry, in particular the Children’s Liturgy of the Word or Sunday School to meet together occasionally to share resources, ideas, motivation, encouragement and learning so, if this is something that would be useful we can organise something during the Autumn.
Lent 2025 – a Welcome Lent: It may seem a little early to be thinking about Lent, Holy Week and Easter but there is lots to plan! Ash Wednesday is on March 5. In the last two years, we have taken the theme of a Just Lent and a Faithful Lent, and so I suggest next year we follow our Vision theme through with a Welcome Lent, with a weekly four week course, and associated liturgical and prayer resources and activities. As the focus of 2025 emerges, we will be able to choose a related charity early in 2025. We can also finalise arrangements for Lent in January.
Bread of Life: This Christian Nurture course will continue to be made available throughout the year. The next opportunity will be in 2025, either during Lent or just before. Likewise, we will offer a series of opportunities for children and young people preparing for Christian Initiation.
Archives: From time to time, we can receive many requests for a search of our archives, particularly when people are researching their family tree. It’s obviously time consuming for me, particularly with four churches so if someone from each church would like to take responsibility for this, any requests can be sent to you. I have created a search request form on the website, and there is a charge of £26 per hour or part thereof for searches.
Foodbank: We have had some internal discussions about Foodbank and the challenges involved in hosting and administering a Distribution Centre. Glyn and I are attending a workshop soon, which we hope will create further opportunities for sharing concerns and exploring new possibilities. I am grateful to Glyn and the team there who have also recently welcomed Norman Partridge as a new volunteer.
Diocesan: The Archdeacons Visitation take place on Saturday 19 October at Citizen Church, and we are invited to send up to ten people. Recently, we have been sent two new templates by the Diocese for a Buildings Plan and Generosity Plan which need to be completed before the Visitation, alongside a new MA Development plan, although our Vision Plan which has been in place for some time actually covers the latter. During the Visitation, MA groups will be asked to begin to create a Ministry Area Evangelism plan but this template will be presented at the meeting itself. Diocesan Conference takes place next Thursday 26th and Saturday 29th September.
VISION 2022-2027: There are a number of items in our Vision plan on which we are making great progress, and a few that we are yet to begin, although we must be mindful that the plan extends to 2027 and we can’t do everything all at once! However, I am constantly reviewing
Accessibility and Inclusion Audit: Our 2025 Vision states that we will, at some point, have a disability audit of our buildings and activities which we will start to do gradually towards the end of this year, and we have been sourcing some templates to help with this. This also comes at a time when the Standing Liturgical Advisory Group of which I am a member is beginning a piece of work on Neurodiversity.
Life Events: I hope that one will inform the other. I hope that, in addition to the ‘Accessibility and Inclusion Audit’, I can begin to consolidate how we resource and develop our ‘Life Events’ ministry which features in the ‘Faithful’ section of the Vision plan, and to set a date for Matt Batten to ‘undertake a digital audit before the end of 2024.
Diary Events: As ideas for events, coffee mornings, fundraisers, social events and other occasions start to come to mind, please can you continue to let me know as soon as possible so that they can go into the MA diary in plenty of time both for advertising purposes and proper planning.
Personal Ministry Arrangements: I recognise that, after many years of never having a set day off – or sometimes a day off at all – I have recently attempted to establish one. Ideally, these will be on Mondays but sometimes will need to be transferred to some other day. I’ve adapted a few systems to make admin a little easier and more shareable, and the website provides a number of ways to collect and share information.
South Cardiff Ministry Area 