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Bro Arwystli Ministry Area | Associate Vicar Appointment profile As Christians in the Diocese of Bangor, we can trace our history back to holy men and women who founded communities of prayer and service across the diocese as early as the fifth century. These early Celtic saints – Deiniol, Cybi, Seiriol, Tudwen, Madryn, and many others – are still commemorated in the names of our churches, towns and villages. A millennium and a half later, our mission hasn’t changed – to respond to the call of Jesus by becoming a Learning Church, to witness to our faith by word and action, and to reach out to all people with the good news of the Kingdom of God. As part of our commitment to being a Learning Church, we’ve recently restructured our parishes to form new Ministry Areas, and we’re investing in leadership, collaboration, learning and outreach. These are exciting, demanding, energising times.

Thank you for considering whether you’re called to join us as the Associate Vicar of the Bro Arwystli Ministry Area. Lynda Cowan (the Ministry Area Leader) and I are grateful to you for your interest, and we hope that this appointment profile will provide you with a wealth of helpful information. You’ll find the following sections: (A) a letter from Bishop Andy; (B) the diocesan profile; (C) an introduction to Bro Arwystli, (D) an overview of the Ministry Area’s Churches, (E) a description of the available vicarages, (F) a profile of the Associate Vicar we’re seeking, and (G) details about the

application process. As you reflect on the appointment and your suitability for it, I invite you to contact me for an informal discussion. Please feel free to be in touch by email or phone. The Ven. Andrew Jones, Archdeacon of Meirionnydd 01758 740919 | [email protected]

The Diocese of Bangor | Bro Arwystli | Associate Vicar | !

Section A | From the Bishop The Rt Revd Andrew John, Bishop of Bangor Tŷ’r Esgob, Upper Garth Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2SS 01248 362895 | [email protected]

Thank you for taking the time to reflect on whether you’re called to join us in the Diocese of Bangor at this significant time. As Bishop, I am responsible, in collaboration my colleagues on the Bishop’s Council, for articulating a vision to the diocese that is credible and hopeful. In order to do this we have drawn on the inheritance of faith, ancient tradition, our own context and openness to God in order to respond to key drivers that are present within the life of the Church and outside it. We have articulated this hope in our diocesan vision of being a Learning Church. This vision involves our becoming learning disciples who let the marks of Christ be found in every area of our common life.

The concept of a Ministry Area is central to this approach. This redefining of church life has involved much more than geographical and constitutional factors, because it involves a different way of doing ministry and of living as a faithful disciple of Christ. The inherited pattern of one cleric for one church can no longer be sustained on financial grounds; and in an age where travel, belonging and identity establish community, a geographically-based parochial structure no longer serves the purpose for which it was once created. Churches that offer many ministries, are varied in their activities, which evolve new structures of governance, are well-resourced and purposeful in their aims must become the template for the whole diocese. Ministry Areas live more closely in relation to one another than single parishes so that pooling of talent and ministry allows a broad area to be encompassed within our mission horizon. As we’ve worked to achieve our aims for the Learning Church over recent months, we’ve depended on clear strategy, appropriate resourcing and enthusiastic collaboration across the diocese. I am therefore delighted to co-operate with the churches in this Ministry Area to secure a priest who will share this common vision and work to establish communities where the marks of Christ are seen in all we do. + Andrew Bangor


Section B | Diocesan profile

Our vision | A Learning Church

The Diocese of Bangor has wanted to respond to the call of Jesus by becoming a Learning Church. Discipleship is at the heart of our common life and witness. We have expressed this by identifying traits which need to characterize our life, and are committed to seeing these become more deeply embedded in our life.

A Dynamic Church We are committed to seeking the Kingdom of God and developing its Eucharistic life through • living worship • corporate prayer • committed discipleship

A Missional Church We are committed to reaching all people with the good news of Jesus Christ. We witness to our faith by word and action in • local communities • civic structures • province and nation

A Pilgrim Church We are committed to deepening our journey by resourcing disciples and ministers through networks of Local Education Groups designed to • reflect on experience • draw on Scripture, tradition and reason • test understanding in practice

A Rooted Church We are committed to expressing and embedding God’s mission in North Wales through • celebrating the cultures and languages of Wales • collaborating with ecumenical friends • developing links within our rural context

A Serving Church We are committed to deploying our resources for the benefit of others through • engagement with secular structures • imaginative use of its buildings • creative development of God’s people into ministries

An Inclusive Church We are committed to serving the needs of all people irrespective of • race and culture • religion and faith • sex and age

A Professional Church We are committed to nurturing high standards in • worship • service and mission • ministry • teaching and preaching • administration and finance


A new platform | Ministry Areas In order to cultivate fertile ground where the Learning Church can grow and flourish, we are working across the diocese to create Ministry Areas. Ministry Areas about aligning the structures of the church to be more ‘fit for purpose’ for ministry, mission and maintenance. Ministry Areas will be larger pastoral units (of between about four and ten churches) and the leaders within them will have the task of enabling and fostering a culture of discipleship and ministry amongst all God’s people. Larger areas (especially in the context of a rural area) will also be able to share resources and work across a larger area to deliver specialist ministries – for example, youth and families, social responsibility, and specialist worship. In short, Ministry Areas are groups of churches who serve their local communities in mission and ministry and draw on common strengths to build their common life in Christ. Ministry Areas are needed for two important reasons. Firstly, the old system of one cleric for one church is now obsolete and belongs to an age where a cleric’s focus was only pastoral to the faithful gathered in worship. Secondly, we need a more inclusive and dynamic approach to ministry where many are called and authorised, where a team shares a common life and responsibility for the ministry entrusted to them and where clergy and laity sees themselves belonging together in service to God for the building of Christ’s Church. Ministry Areas are an important new platform within the life of the diocese, and a key way of enabling our vision as a diocese to become a Spirit-filled reality.

Our context | Geography and demography The Diocese of Bangor covers the whole of the north-western quarter of Wales, taking in the old counties of Anglesey, Caernarfon, Meirionnydd and the northern portion of Montgomeryshire, and is roughly coterminous with the ancient kingdom of Gwynedd. It extends from the port of Holyhead in the north to the rural market town of Llanidloes in the south; from the holy island of Bardsey in the west to Llandudno in the east, along the North Wales coastal strip, behind which lies Snowdonia and the most mountainous areas of Wales. Distances travelled by diocesan staff are considerable; one can travel for three hours without leaving the diocese to minister to small rural communities, across mountainous terrain and some of the most spectacular landscape in Britain. Along its coasts, the diocese has numerous small communities, seaside resorts and ports. Inland, there are a large number of small post-industrial communities (following the collapse of slate mining), and a variety of rural and agricultural communities, where unemployment is high, much of the agriculture is on marginal land (except for a small area in Powys) and populations are small and scattered. Culturally, there are huge differences between seaside towns, mountain village communities and those in the fertile valleys of mid-Wales. Gifted young people leave for higher education and to find careers. Although light industry projects have been established, problems of employment continue the drift away. A major role for the Church is to affirm and build confidence and self-belief in all our communities so that their


voices are heard and their needs met. For all the difficulties, the general mood is up-beat and optimistic among the local authorities as the area seeks to evolve into a new diversified economy. Welsh is the first language and natural means of communication for three quarters of the population of the diocese as a whole, rising in some areas to in excess of 90%, with proportionally larger English-speaking communities in the seaside resorts, the historic towns, and in the south-east of the diocese – including the Bro Arwystli Ministry Area, the most English-speaking part of the diocese. The diocese has adopted a Language Policy, approved by the Welsh Language Board. Welcome to a beautiful, complex, challenging, fascinating diocese!

Clockwise from top left | Llandudno; Bangor Cathedral; Llanddwyn and Snowdonia; to the summit of Snowdon


Section C | Introducing Bro Arwystli

Where is Arwystli?

In medieval times, Arwystli was an ancient kingdom, situated in the very heart of Wales. Today, it includes many of the most beautiful towns and villages in the area; Llanidloes, Llandinam, Trefeglwys, Caersws, Llanwnog, Carno, Llangurig and Penstrowed are all surrounded by unspoilt countryside, forests, lakes and rolling hills. The market town of Llanidloes is the centre of the Arwystli area and is situated approximately two and a half hours drive from Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff, and served by the national rail network at Caersws. Aberystwyth, the coastal resorts of Borth and Ynyslas, and the castled town of Harlech lie to the west, within an hour and a half’s drive. The local websites listed below convey information about Arwystli, and give a picture of life in Mid Wales, including leisure and social activities, and an overview in photographs of the area. The pace of life is leisured; people have time for one another, valuing the chance to stop and chat, sharing one another’s concerns and joys. At the same time there is a lively calendar of social and cultural events, with arts centres in both Newtown and Aberystwyth. Although a knowledge of Welsh is not essential for ministry in Arwystli, the language is taught in all schools (although education is almost entirely through the medium of English) and Welsh identity and culture is part of our common life here. See also www.llanidloes.com | www.llandinam.com | www.trefeglwys.com | www.llangurig.net

From left to right | The Old Market Hall in Llanidloes; Llyn Clywedog


What is Bro Arwystli? Until March 2014, Arwystli was the name for the deanery in this area, the southernmost deanery in the diocese and in the Archdeaconry of Meirionnydd. It consisted of seven parishes, with one incumbent serving the parishes of Llanidloes and Llangurig, another the parishes of Llandinam, Trefeglwys and Penstrowed, and, until recently, a house-for-duty priest serving the parishes of Carno and Llanwnog with Caersws. The deanery was also served by an Area Dean, two retired clerics, and four readers. While the churches gathered occasionally for united deanery services and functions, the parish groups tended to operate as separate benefices. In March 2014, the Bro Arwystli Ministry Area was formed. The seven parishes became one parish of seven churches and the Revd Lynda Cowan, previously Vicar to the Llandinam Benefice, was installed as Team Leader, Incumbent and Vicar of the united parish. The Bishop authorised a new Ministry Team, which at present consists of two retired clerics, four readers, one reader in training. The Area also enjoys input from one of our CYFMEs (Children’s, Youth and Family Ministry Enabler) – part of a pioneering new scheme established by the diocese to support this important part of our common life and mission.

How is the Ministry Area is structured? Each church has elected churchwardens and sidespeople, a treasurer and a secretary, and is responsible for their own finances. Instead of individual PCCs, congregational meetings are held in each church prior to a Ministry Area Council meeting for the Ministry Area as a whole. Two representatives from the congregational meeting are elected onto the Ministry Area Council, which meets at least four times a year to set the missional agenda for the Ministry Area, cooperate with diocesan-wide strategies, and work for collaboration between the churches. Each church also holds Annual General Meetings. A Ministry Area newsletter has been set up to link the seven churches and share service times, study groups and activities. We are also in discussion with the diocese about setting up a Ministry Area office that will act as a resource and administration centre, as well as a base from which our CYFME, Jon Price, can operate

What is the Bro Arwystli Ministry Area Team? We are still very much in the formation stage of becoming a Ministry Area Team. At present some of the congregations are a bit anxious about the changes, being used to the model of ‘our own vicar’ and worried that a team model might be impersonal. The Ministry Area Team’s first task is


therefore to model unity, love and consideration, working and serving together, to show that more can be accomplished as a team than as individuals. Plans are in hand to invite representatives of lay ministry groups (involved in worship leading, children’s work and study groups) to join the team so that we can meet for prayer, planning, and mutual support and encouragement, developing open and honest working relationships. The Ministry Area Team will be the fundamental link between one congregation with another, travelling from church to church to lead worship, offer pastoral care, preach and teach.

Discipleship in Bro Arwystli As a diocese we are committed to being a Learning Church, and in Bro Arwystli a combination of Alpha courses, seasonal groups and regular Bible study and prayer groups have nurtured many in discipleship and helped prepare them to take on responsibility in their church. We will continue to build on these foundations and encourage all church members to recognise that they have gifts to use for God’s ministry, including involvement in pastoral teams, prayer teams, hospitality teams, children’s work and so on. We are also committed to offering the diocesan Exploring Faith course, which offers a group-based and systematic exploration of theology, faith and practice, and through which six members of this area have already gone forward for ordination or Reader training.

Children, young people and families in Bro Arwystli There has been a good history of children’s and youth work in Bro Arwystli and three of the churches already run Sunday school and afterschool groups, while four hold All Age Services. Messy Church and holiday clubs have also taken place regularly, and two toddler groups are held in Llanidloes church hall, with the help of church members. We now enjoy the advice and support of our CYFMEs, appointed to oversee further development of ministry with children, youth and families, and a new group will be starting in Llanidloes in September. We have a good link with Llanidloes High School, with clergy taking several assemblies a year, and there are good working relationships with three of the local primary schools. We are in the process of establishing links with the other two primary schools in the area, and plans are underway to start an Open the Book team to go into all five schools after the summer.


Pastoral Care in Bro Arwystli Many of the churches are involved in lunch clubs, afternoon teas, and coffee mornings, some of which raise church funds, but all of which are primarily valued for in their role of supporting the local community. The church, clergy and laity take services to the residential care home in Llanidloes and there is also a group that regularly visits Llanidloes Hospital.

Wider mission links in Bro Arwystli Links with Christian agencies working overseas (Christian Aid, CMS, LOST, LEPRA), including regular financial support, are a priority in the work of Bro Arwystli. There is active support of the diocesan link with the Diocese of Lango in Uganda, and we look forward to developing a relationship with a twin parish there, under a scheme recently set up by the diocese.

Stewardship in Bro Arwystli As is generally the case, all our churches could do with a bit more money! However each has paid their Parish Share this year, although a couple had to draw upon reserves. Most are actively engaged in stewardship campaigns, fundraising and applying for grant funding to help with building alterations. The treasurers are meeting together to explore ways of making financial savings as we work together.


Section D | Our churches

St Idloes, Llanidloes

Locality Llanidloes is the first town on the River Severn, 30 miles from Aberystwyth and 48 miles from Shrewsbury, on a bypass on the A470. The population is about 2,300. The market town has a leisure centre and many sports clubs, as well as a library, medical centre and small hospital, a primary and school, and a highly-regarded secondary school that includes a sixth form. There are several small light engineering firms and agricultural firms in the area. Church St Idloes Church was built about 1350 and extensively renovated in later years. It holds about 350 and is in good condition The church hall is attached to the main building and was built in about 1980. It can seat 100 and is used for Café Church, film evenings and other church activities such as harvest suppers, church lunches, and receptions following funerals and weddings. The basement holds office equipment and the entrance hall includes lavatories and storage cupboards. The hall is also used extensively both by the community and by organisations further afield. At present a refurbishment programme is underway. Around the church and hall is a full burial ground, part mown, with the rest forming a managed wild area towards the river. Distinctives of worship and witness at St Idloes The parish of St Idloes set up a team system for members some years ago, to encourage everyone to become active in ministry. Each team has a leader and is reviewed each year, when volunteers can leave or stay or join another team. Teams include: Welcoming, Worship Group, Bible Reading, Intercessions, Bell Ringer, Prayer Chain, Gardening, Cleaning Church, Vacuuming Church Hall,


Flowers, Windows for Festivals, Tea/Coffee, Social Committee, Supporting Services, Seekers and Tadpoles (Sunday School). An informal music group regularly helps to lead worship. The hymn book used is Songs of Fellowship (combined edition). Members of the congregation read lessons (including the Gospel), take prayers, and present the offering. Licensed lay assistants assist at communion, take home communion and lead prayer ministry, which is offered after each Sunday service. There are also 12 pastoral helpers. Occasional civic services take place, including the annual Mayor-making service and Remembrance Sunday. Ecumenical cooperation Llanidloes Cytûn: Churches Together is active, with joint services at Advent, Christmas and Easter, as well as Lent lunches, an annual pilgrimage, and occasional outreach events involving local schools. As well as the Anglican church, there are four chapels in the town (Presbyterian / Calvinistic Methodist, Methodist, URC, Baptist) plus Roman Catholic and a Quaker congregation. Cytûn also oversees Bethany Christian Bookshop (see bethanybooks.webeden.co.uk). Congregation at a glance Electoral Roll 106 | Average attendance 75 | Children 10-15 Occasional offices at a glance Annually | Baptisms 8 | Weddings 4 | Funerals 8 | Confirmations 3 For more information see the church website www.stidloes.webeden.co.uk

St Curig’s, Llangurig

Locality Llangurig is a small village on the A44 in the upper Wye valley, 5 miles south of Llanidloes and 25 miles from Aberystwyth. At 1,000 ft, it is believed to be the highest church above sea level in Wales. The parish of Llangurig, before it became part of the Ministry Area, covered the largest area of any parish in Wales, although it also probably possessed the smallest population. The village has a post


office / general store and two pubs. The main businesses of the area are connected with farming and tourism and are largely family run, as are the motor rally school and small haulage concerns. There are daily bus services to Aberystwyth, Llandrindod Wells, Llanidloes, Newtown and Shrewsbury, and a daily coach service from Aberystwyth to London via Birmingham stops in the village. As well as the Anglican church, there are two chapels in Llangurig: Methodist and Presbyterian / Calvinistic Methodist. Church There has been a place of worship (‘llan’) on the site since the sixth century. The oldest part of the present church is 14th century and extensive renovation was carried out in the late 1800s, in addition to roof and spire repairs in the 1980s. The building is in now reasonable condition; although the churchyard is closed to new burials, ashes can still be interred. Distinctives of worship and witness at St Curig The present congregation enjoys traditional services but would love to see more young families attending from the local area. The church has just managed to cover costs in recent years, though we have been subsidised by our sister church in Llanidloes. In recent years St Curig’s PCC has organised an annual lecture in the church on local historical topics, a cake stall at the village show, 50/50 auction, car boot sale and quizzes. While weekly attendance is modest, the carol and harvest services are well-supported by the community. Volunteer churchyard mowing and maintenance evenings are held in the summer. Congregation at a glance Electoral Roll 26 | Average attendance 11 | Children 0 Occasional offices at a glance Annually | Baptisms 3 | Weddings 0 | Funerals 2 | Confirmations 0 For more information see the church website www.llangurig.webeden.co.uk

St Gwynog’s, Llanwnog

Locality The village of Llanwnog with nearly eleven hundred on the electoral register has three other villages within its hinterland: Pontdolgoch, Clatter and the largest being Caersws .There was a second church situated in Caersws until 2010 when, faced with mounting building repairs and a very small congregation, it closed. There are three chapels in Caersws: Presbyterian / Calvinistic Methodist, Baptist and Methodist. Cytûn: Churches Together is very strong in this area holding joint services in each other’s churches regularly and organising Christian Aid and other fundraising events.


Church St Gwynog’s Church is a Grade II listed single chambered church, variously considered to be of 13th or 15th century origin, but here has been a place of worship at this site for fifteen hundred years. An extensive restoration of the present building took place in 1863 and the west wall was rebuilt in the 1980s. The church has a late fifteenth century rood screen with a gallery, parts of which are unique. There is also a small window in the north wall depicting St Gwynog in the robes of a bishop, made up of fragments of the fifteenth century East window destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s army and salvaged by the villagers. The church also has a concert organ, single manual with no pedals, in very good order and producing a mellow sound. It probably came from a large country house and is thought to be one of two remaining of its type. Recently we have had many accomplished organists playing for us. At present plans are underway for a re-ordering of the church to incorporate much needed modern facilities, including improving the heating and the roofing, while conserving the integrity of the original features. Our hope is to provide a warm, welcoming space with good facilities for both community and church activities and make our church a place that people will want to be a part of. The grave yard surrounding the church is closed except for the burial of ashes in existing plots. It includes several large and very old yew trees together with war graves and also the grave of John Ceiriog Hughes, a famous Welsh poet. The grounds are maintained by a group of very willing volunteer strimmers.

Distinctives of worship and witness at St Gwynog’s The number of visitors to the church building is growing and we are able to leave the door open if requested, although we try to have someone available to assist with information if necessary. While average Sunday attendance is modest, festivals and special events generally attract significantly higher congregations. The family service attracts people who do not usually attend weekly services. We have many supporters throughout the community who help to clean the church, arrange flowers, fund raise, bake cakes and make jams for the stall, keep the churchyard tidy and many other things. Music is a large part of our church and, although we do not have a choir, we organise concerts and performances both singers and instrumentalists. Many of the performers are young musicians and we always enjoy hearing them. Following the retirement of previous incumbents, we have had two periods of interregnum lasting over two years during the last nine years, but have managed to keep our numbers and paid our Parish Share due to the


dedication of parishioners and the team of willing clergy and readers in the deanery. Our parish share for this year is nearly £7,000 and we have paid in excess of our Parish Share for the last four years in order to pay arrears accrued by running two churches. We make full use of the Gift Aid scheme and have regular fund raising events throughout the year. Congregation at a glance Electoral Roll 23 | Average attendance 12 | Children 2 Occasional offices at a glance Annually | Baptisms 1 | Weddings 1 | Funerals 3 | Confirmations 0 In October 2011, seven young candidates and one adult were confirmed in our church.

St John the Baptist’s, Carno

Locality Carno is a village of approximately 650 people, situated on the A470 between Llanbrynmair and Caersws. The village is surrounded by lovely countryside offering a variety of outdoor activities such walking, cycling, clay pigeon shooting and rally school. Amenities in the village include a shop/post office, a community centre which holds various functions and activities, plus a bowling club and football club. There are two pubs, including the Aleppo Merchant Inn which offers bed and breakfast accommodation and a restaurant and bar meals. A good local school caters for infant and primary school pupils. There is no railway station but the campaign for its re-opening by the Carno Station Action Group is ongoing. Local employment centres on farming, although the Laura Ashley factory in the village was a major source of employment for the region, prior to its closure in 2005. There is one other place of worship in Carno, which is the Peniel Presbyterian Chapel.


Church The building dates back to 1863 and has undergone three major restorations, the last one completed in 1990. A gas warm air heating system was installed in 1999. A Church Room within the grounds is used for meetings, etc. The churchyard is maintained by the council. Distinctives of worship and witness at St John the Baptist’s After each Sunday service, the congregation enjoys tea and coffee and chat together. Regular Tea and Toast mornings take place throughout the year and these, together with a winter fair, are held in the village Community Centre. Other outreach fundraising events have included a Flower Festival and cake stall. Children’s Fun Mornings are held in the Church Room during the school holidays. A brass cleaning group meets once a month and cleaning of the church is done on a rota basis. Up until now the church has managed to pay its way but may face difficulty doing so within the next two years. Congregation at a glance Electoral Roll 27 | Average attendance 12 | Children 2 Occasional offices at a glance Annually | Baptisms 1 | Weddings 0 | Funerals 5 | Confirmations 0

St Michael’s, Trefeglwys

Locality Trefeglwys is a rural hamlet on a quiet B-road connecting the village of Caersws to of Llanidloes. The village contains a new bilingual primary school, a community owned general store with petrol station, a motor repair garage, a chapel, and a thriving pub.


Church St Michael’s Church is a modest, Victorian, stone built church situated at the heart of Trefeglwys. Over the last ten years a small but dedicated team have worked hard to bring the building up to 21st century standards of comfort and safety. In 2008 funds were raised locally and a grant secured to completely upgrade the building: new wiring, under floor heating, kitchen and toilet facilities, separate meeting room. Distinctives of worship and witness at St Michael’s The congregation is mostly drawn from the surrounding farms, and two small housing estates. While it can be small in number, especially around lambing or hay making time, it easily swells to 70-130 at Christmas and Harvest. While the majority of our regular worshippers are elderly or retired, we are confident of the support of the farming community and young families too, who consider St Michaels to be ‘their’ church. A lively Church Club runs every week in term time for children aged 4-11. There are occasional coffee mornings, craft mornings, and in the evenings Alpha courses and Bible study groups. Very recently a series of ‘home grown’ choir concerts, made up of farmers and their spouses, have proved to be successful, not only as community events but also in raising much needed funds. We have good relations with the Zoar Chapel and take it in turns to worship together whenever there is a fifth Sunday in the month. We also try to get together for our main fundraising event in the summer: over the last few years we have had two successful Promise Auctions, a magnificent Flower Festival, an Art in the Pews weekend, together with the ever popular Songs of Praise Sundays conducted outside in the church marquees, weather permitting! Lots of effort is going into encouraging the congregation to be involved in the weekly service, and we now have a growing ministry team with people willing to write and lead the Intercessions, do the readings, and a small team who practice new hymns in order to lead the congregation in song. Congregation at a glance Electoral Roll 39 | Average attendance 13 | Children 2 Occasional offices at a glance Annually | Baptisms 9 | Weddings 3 | Funerals 3 | Confirmations 0 The church now has more weddings and baptisms, and has been blessed with an increase of young people going forward for Confirmation.

St Llonio’s, Llandinam

Locality Llandinam and its hinterland contains a little over 300 dwellings, and around 730 residents. Within the village proper is St Llonio’s Church and a Presbyterian Church (normally called the Chapel), a public house, a school and the Village Hall. There is a strong sense of community in the village with many activities organised in the Village Hall for both educational and recreational purposes. Broneirion, which is the Guiding Centre for Wales, is also located here, as is Plas Dinam, now a conference centre. Both of these buildings were originally the property of David Davies,


whose statue is sited at the road end of the bridge across the river and who played a leading part in founding the Presbyterian Church. Church Parts of St Llonio’s building dates back to the 12th century, but it was re-ordered in the 1860s. It is situated on top of a small hill, overlooking the village. The access road is quite steep but can be used by cars and there is a small parking area at the very end of the road which can take about 10-12 cars. The road passes through the churchyard, which is full, and leads on to the community cemetery which is immediately beyond the churchyard. The church building itself has been well maintained but we are in the first stages of modernisation. The pipes to bring water into the church and to take waste away are already in place and we are preparing to apply for a Faculty to create a lavatory and kitchen, a ramp to ease access to the nave and the re-pointing of the west wall. The tower of the church houses a peal of six bells and a dedicated team of bellringers practice each Monday evening and ring for the 11.00 am Eucharist Services and Weddings.

Distinctives of worship and witness at St Llonio’s The numbers attending church on a regular basis have crept up recently, and there are 50 on the Electoral Roll at present. At present we have a quiet 8.00am Eucharist where up to ten communicants can attend. We have two 11.00am Eucharist Services a month, one of which is an All Age Service and we have around 24 attending these. We have sung Morning Prayer Service and an Evening Praise Service. The Church and Chapel work well together and try to support each other’s initiatives. We combine for services on Women’s World Day of Prayer, Good Friday, Christian Aid Week, Remembrance Day and a Community Carol Concert (held in the Village Hall). The village also joins together at Harvest Festivals where most attend both Church and Chapel events and Christmas celebrations. Assemblies in school are held fortnightly and occasional lessons are given. The children also use the church for high days and holidays. The Church runs an after school children’s group on a Monday, there are currently 19 children on their register with an average attendance of 14. There are also two Messy Church sessions organised by the after school organisers – one in the Easter Holidays and one in the Summer Holidays – these have proved successful, drawing children from outside the village and children in the village who are not yet in


school. A Bible Study group meets on a Tuesday morning and for two years we have been ‘Grappling with God’. We also have a Lent course running each year. A Mothers’ Union branch meets on the first Thursday of each month commencing at 1.30pm. We have speakers each month who provide insights into a variety of aspects of Christian life. We are very much looking forward to establishing and building links with the Mothers’ Union branch in Anai which is in a linked parish in Uganda. The church has also organised ‘Tea at 3’ on the third Thursday of each month, proving an opportunity for people to meet and chat with friends. Congregation at a glance Electoral Roll 47 | Average attendance 15 | Children 2 Occasional offices at a glance Annually | Baptisms 4 | Weddings 1 | Funerals 2 | Confirmations 0

St Gwrhai’s, Penstrowed

Locality Penstrowed is situated on the A489 between Newtown and Caersws. Its nucleus is centred around the quarry, a small enterprise park and a row of cottages which used to boast two shops and a public house (long since disappeared). The Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth rail line runs behind the church with the nearest station being Caersws; one field beyond the railway runs the River Severn. The population is approximately 80 people. This is mainly a farming community but the enterprise park now has Red Kite Glass, Clements Woodwork and a small roadside café. There is another large unit which is to let at the moment. The main source of employment used to be the quarry which over the years has provided stone for local houses, roads and bridges. It closed in 1950 but re-opened in 1965, the stone being used as the base for all the housing and industrial estates in Newtown.


Church There has reputedly been a church on this site since 520, being founded by St Gwrhai. The present church was built in 1863 and refurbished in 2007 when all the electrical work had to be renewed following the quinquennial inspection. The whole interior was repainted and under-seat heating was installed. There is a church room in the grounds, with a new kitchen and toilet added in 2013, making it suitable for community use. Distinctives of worship and witness at St Gwrhai’s Sunday services are always followed by light refreshments and chat. While average Sunday attendance is small, at the Harvest and Candlelight Carol Service this increases to 40 or so. A quiet reflective Celtic service is held in the evening of the fourth Wednesday of the month. Members of the church always endeavour to give warm hospitality and good refreshments to those attending any event. St Gwrhai’s has a small, but solid team who work well together. Usually the church holds two events a year such as a BBQ or concert, one being fund raising for the church and the other for a charity. Congregation at a glance Electoral Roll 9 | Average attendance 8 | Children 0 Occasional offices at a glance Annually | Baptisms 2 | Weddings 0 | Funerals 1 | Confirmations 0


Section E | The Vicarage Bro Arwystli has the advantage of having two vicarages available, either of which can be the home and base of ministry for the Associate Vicar.

Llanwnog

Llanwnog is a small village is a couple of miles from Caersws, where there is a primary school, a GP surgery, grocery shops, a butcher, post office, hairdresser, well-known fish and chip shop, petrol station, railway station, and three public houses. Older children travel to secondary school in either Llanidloes or Newtown, both approximately eight miles away, by school bus. Llanwnog Vicarage is a detached five bedroom property with spectacular views over rolling countryside, and is a short stroll from the church. It has oil-fired central heating and a new 7kw multi-fuel stove fitted in the kitchen. On the ground floor there is also a separate pantry, dining room, entrance hallway leading to two reception rooms and a boiler / utility room. The basement is accessed via a door off the entrance hall. On the first floor there are five bedrooms, bathroom and a separate WC. The Vicarage garden consists of lawns at the front and a substantial area of kitchen garden at the back together with mature fruit and indigenous trees, plus some outbuildings (which are currently in poor repair).


Llanidloes

The Vicarage in Llanidloes is located just on the periphery of the town and is a very well presented and impressive six bedroom Edwardian house. The property is approached via a long drive and has an elevated position, the vicarage has a good sized garden with mature trees and a separate kitchen garden with fruit trees which is currently run as a community allotment. The property is heated by a gas-fired central heating system, and has recently benefited from an improvement scheme to enlarge and modernise the kitchen area. On the ground floor the property has a kitchen with separate pantry, dining room, entrance hallway, two reception rooms and a boiler / utility room. The basement is accessed via a door in the kitchen. On the first floor the property boasts six bedrooms, a bathroom with a separate WC; recently a shower room was added for the benefit of occupants and guests.


Section F | Our Associate Vicar We are seeking to appoint an Associate Vicar who will work closely with the Ministry Area Leader, the Revd Linda Cowan, and the rest of the Ministry Area Team to serve churches and communities across the Ministry Area.

Sharing our vision We are seeking to appoint an Associate Vicar who shares our vision, developed within the context of the Diocesan Vision of being a Learning Church.

• We are committed to enjoying our calling by God and the fullness of life that comes in fellowship with Christ.

• We are committed to providing teaching and opportunities to learn and grow together. • We are committed to making sure that God is the centre of our teaching, our worship and

our lives together • We are committed to showing the love and compassion of Jesus in our pastoral care and our

availability. • We are committed to providing inspirational worship, so that all may be nurtured in faith. • We are committed to working closely with Cytûn: Churches Together, and to growing the

relationships between all Christian denominations. • We are committed to nurturing both the indigenous Welsh communities as well as the

increasing number of people who have moved into the area. • We are committed to making our churches a welcoming environment where all people,

irrespective of gender, race or sexual orientation or disability are welcomed. • We are committed to nurturing our children in a safe environment where they may learn

the love of God. • We are committed to reaching out to the schools within our communities so that they may

hear of the love of God and always feel welcome in the house of God. • We are committed to honouring the elderly and those who through their faithful worship

have fulfilled their responsibility to their generation. • We are committed to ensuring that the church is significant in the community that it serves.


Demonstrating key qualities We are seeking to appoint an Associate Vicar who is an ordained priest within the Church in Wales or a Church in communion with it, and who demonstrates the following key qualities:

• Possesses an understanding of and sympathy with the particular challenges and delights of rural ministry

• Is a team player who prioritises growing the skills and confidence of others • Is a pastoral figure with a commitment to developing relationships with the local

community • Is committed to Biblically-based preaching and teaching • Is willing to explore new and creative ways of worship • Is open to the guiding of the Holy Spirit • Possesses good organisational and time management skills • Is familiar with the Welsh cultural context or is willing to learn about it • Has a basic knowledge of the Welsh language or a willingness to learn


Section G | The application process Applications must be received by the end of the day on Friday 15 August 2014. Your application should include a letter of application and a CV. Your letter of application, taking up no more than two sides of A4, should: (a) describe what attracts you to this appointment and (b) relate your skills and experience to the opportunities and challenges presented by the appointment. Your CV should outline: (a) your educational background, (b) your past and present appointments as an ordained minister, (c) any broader roles or responsibilities undertaken within your diocese or the wider church, (d) your community and social interests, and (e) you career before ordiantion / other employment history. It should also include the names and addresses (with email addresses if possible) of three referees (of which two should be ordained ministers). Please send your application to the Archdeacon of Meirionnydd, care of:

Email [email protected] Post The Archdeacon of Meirionnydd

c/o Caryl Hughes Diocesan Centre Cathedral Close Bangor Gwynedd LL57 1RL

Almighty God, who inspired Deiniol, the first Bishop of Bangor, to gather around him a community to live the common life: grant that we, who honour his memory, may work to build up the family of your Church in faith and hope and love; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

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