In North Monmouthshire, we’re currently looking for an additional Ministry Area Warden to work alongside our wider MA Team of volunteers and clergy.
We’d love someone with a can-do attitude who can bring new ideas to our growing mission as a Ministry Area, bringing Christ to those in North Monmouthshire.
Below is the official role description. However, the role varies greatly across Ministry Areas so the person will be able to adapt this to suit our own MA:
Read or download the latest Ministry Area newsletter here:
We held our Ministry Area Annual Vestry meeting this year at St David’s, Llanddewi Rhydderch on Tuesday 21st July. Father Julian gave a Rector’s Report on the year past, highlighting many of the positive ways we are working together as a Ministry Area.
We were grateful to also be joined by Paul Garnault, Manager of Abergavenny Foodbank. He spoke to us about the work of the foodbank as well as the amount of support they receive from churches from all denominations keen to address social injustice.
The MA Annual Accounts were reviewed as well as the election of trustees, MA Office Holders and nominations for Diocesan Elections. Revd. Mary Moore was also thanked for her service as Priest of the Grosmont Group and given a token of appreciation. The evening ended with wine and cheese and an opportunity to chat and share ideas with our 17 churches – what could be better!
Many thanks to St David’s for hosting us for the evening and if anyone is interested finding out more about Abergavenny Foodbank and their volunteering opportunities, visit their website:
This summer’s pilgrimage saw the group treking from Southern Ireland and finishing at St David’s Cathedral. Jo Williams, wife of Revd. Canon David Williams reflects on this truly special journey and the impact it has on her faith:
“As I left to take part in our pilgrimage from Ferns in Southern Ireland to St. David’s in Wales, I realised that I had hardly given thought to what would be ahead of me. In semi-retirement, life seems as busy as ever, and I skidded into this experience fairly frazzled. Looking back now on our two weeks away, there has been much to ponder. In the first days, we worked on finding our rhythm, both physically and spiritually. We followed as much as we could, in the footsteps of St. Aidan in Ireland, his friendship with St. David, learning about their lives and visiting holy wells along the way. (Do look them up and read their life stories and legacies). Our daily prayers in these special places became ‘living water’ for our souls to refresh us on our way each day I liken some aspects of my pilgrimage to how the disciples on the Emmmaus Road may have felt… times of reflecting with others about our relationship with Jesus whilst searching for new revelation from Him along the way.
I found in pilgrimage a journey ‘within’ unfolding. At first, an inability to settle internally. There had to be an unwinding through slowing down. Walking step by step was a wonderful tonic to achieve this. Then, there came the emerging of uncomfortable things, the realisation of the burdens I was carrying which needed to be unloaded. This led to prayers, tears and vulnerability, and mutual sharing with fellow pilgrims as we walked. After all that, then came a sense of walking lighter, bringing exhilaration and joy, plus a sense of accomplishment.
Learning to walk at the ‘pace of grace’, whatever that really means is something I will explore further for my daily life. I guess it means living in step with the Holy Spirit and letting Jesus simply take us through our days? I loved the fellowship, fun and friendship with others along the way which kept us going in the hard places of our journey. Day by day we experienced a growing in love as ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’, as well as the privilege of bearing each others burdens and recognising Christ in each other. For some of us, keeping up with David’s pace was a challenge and one pilgrim did threaten to throw him over the cliff if he didn’t slow down.
We laughed so much and drank the best Guinness in the world. One afternoon, we relived childhood memories, swimming in the sea, eating ice cream and simply having fun. On another evening we listened to an Irish band in a fabulous Irish ‘local’. The people we met along the way left an impact upon us….. a young farmer who let us sit in his tractor bucket to rest, the couple who had restored an ancient cottage called ‘The House of Stories’ in order to preserve the tales of the past, and the widower standing in his garden who simply wanted to tell someone about his dear wife.
The beauty of God’s Creation impacted us daily. We saw this in the blackness of night time and the brightness of stars, the incredible sea mists which protected and refreshed us from the burning sun and the wonderful blue skies, birds, wild flowers and so much more. Our 100 mile pilgrimage had been a gift to us all. We are all pilgrims. We all follow something or someone. May you join me in thinking about your journey and where it might lead. May you and I be sure to follow all that truly matters and seek to follow the One who is The Way, The Truth and The Light, Jesus.”
Psalm 84 v.5,6,7
Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they
pass through the Valley of Baka (veil of tears), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion’.
Blessings!
Jo Williams
On a sunny afternoon on Sunday 5th July, our School Engagement Pioneer Emily Bailey held her first Our Way Family Worship service at Llantilio Pertholey Primary School. This is designed to be an informal service where parents can worship with their children in a relaxed way. We were joined by several families, volunteers from St Teilo’s as well as some helping hands from the Diocese.
There was plenty of tea, coffee and treats for both parents and children and lots of craft activities available before the service started.
The first session focussed on Zacchaeus and how he was visible to Jesus even in the crowd.
There was interactive story telling as well as time to think and pray together. We were encouraged to go away and think about how we can better include others. We had uplifting songs and dancing too! The next session will be on Saturday 6th 2:30pm-3:30pm and all are welcome.
The Diocese of Monmouth ran their annual Churches Unlocked Festival between June 6th and June 21st. This is an opportunity for churches, particularly those that are usually kept locked, to open their doors to visitors. Many of our churches are open daily to visitors but this was a good opportunity to advertise this, and encourage as many people to journey across all 17. All of our Pastoral Districts took part, with 15 of our churches holding particular events or simply being ‘unlocked’.
Some of our churches such as St Michael’s, Llanvihangel Crucorney and St David’s Llanddewi Skirrid offered refreshments to travellers (and dogs!) whilst St James’ Llanvetherine was opened every Wednesday and weekend for visitors to appreciate its ancient building and newly restored tower. The positive comments left in our Visitors Books were very encouraging. People appreciated being able to enjoy our churches’ peace and beauty in their own relaxed way. It was also a great chance for us all to travel to those churches we haven’t yet been to within the Ministry Area!
We took this opportunity to launch our PIlgrim Passports, the brain wave of our newest House for Duty Priest Revd Canon David Williams. People were able to pick up a Pilgrim Passport from any of our churches (unlocked or not) or from the Visitors Centre in Abergavenny. All our churches then have their own indidvual stamp which pilgrims can collect as they begin to ‘tick off’ each church.
We have had plenty of positive feedback from travelling pilgrims as well as those in the area who would like to get to know their local church better. It has also provide popular with children who are determined to get theirs ‘completed’. The only negative we have experienced is running out of them! Many thanks to the volunteers who enable our special historic buildings to be open to the public.
St Teilo’s, Llantilio Pertholey closed churches Unlocked with a Cream Tea and Craft Fair on Saturday 20th June.
The church was transformed to include a variety of stall holders for visitors to enjoy. From dried flowers, handmade cards and embroideries to crocheted and decopaged items, there was plenty for everyone to browse. Each stall holder donated one of their beautiful items for our raffle which was also in aid of the river bank. It proved so popular, we ran out of raffle tickets!
Volunteers worked incredibly hard to set up the church, rearrange, help stall holders, prepare refreshments, wash up and clean away afterwards. Without volunteers, our events, services and maintenance of our 17 churches would not be possible.
Several members kindly made fresh homemade scones, homemade jam and fresh whipped cream which visitors enjoyed over a cup of tea and a chat. The day ended with Father Julian drawing the raffle and thanking everyone for all their hard work.
All this was done in aid of St Teilo’s Scared Ground Riverbank appeal which was washed away in a recent storm. Over £900 was raised thanks to the sale of refreshments. It was also a wonderful community event and was lovely to see people catching up with those not seen in a long time whilst also making new connections across the MA.
Many thanks to those who travelled across our churches to support this as well as those visiting the church for the first time as part of Churches Unlocked.
There is still an opportunity to donate to the fixing of the riverbank via the Just Giving Page
Read our latest Ministry Area Newsletter below:
Thy Kingdom Come Week was marked at St Teilo’s, Llantilio Pertholey with special ‘God is with Us’ prayer stations designed by our Ministry Area Warden Jess Graham.
On Saturday 23rd May, St Teilo’s definitely became a cool oasis during the bank holiday heat wave! Prayer stations were set up in different areas of the church to encourage reflection, quiet and calm.
The stations followed different individuals from both the Old and New Testament and how prayer helped them draw closer to God. Some examples included:
Church members even braved the heat with some gardening to make sure the churchyard stays maintained for any visitors.
It is with great sadness we announce the resignation of the Revd. Mary Moore as House for Duty Vicar for the Grosmont Group. Mary was licensed in October 2024 at St Nicholas’ Church in Grosmont. She has since done wonderful work in both her ordinary ministry as well as her Youth Work role, setting up a much needed Youth Club for those in Grosmont. She will be greatly missed as Priest in Charge but we hope she will remain a part of the extended Ministry Area support team, where her health allows:
“I have been diagnosed with a long-term health condition which means I need to stop working, to take the pressure off my life.
My last Sunday as your Priest in Charge will be Sunday 2nd August. John and I will move from the Rectory but will remain living in Grosmont and when it is appropriate, with the permission of Bishop Cherry, I hope to be able to support the ministry team for the Grosmont group and your new Priest in Charge in small ways as I am able.
Thank you all so much for your support and ongoing faithfulness to these wonderful churches and communities. It has been an honour to be your Priest in Charge.”
