ANNUAL REPORT 2023
The Diocesan Vision Prayer
Father, we hold before you our family, in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon, and we open our hearts and minds to your spirit.
Bless us as we gather in your name.
Guide us as we grow into the lightness of your son. Lead us by your Spirit to go out and make disciples of others.
God of our journeying, be our way and our truth and our life,
Our beginning and our end. We pray through Jesus our Lord. Amen
Report from Reverend Geraint Wathan
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It has been an exciting year in Llansamlet with the majority of the rejuvenation works being completed at St Samlet’s, culminating with a celebration service for the official reopening being led by Bishop John. The Bishop was back again A few months later to bless the Community Garden in the churchyard and planted a plum tree which we hope will bear fruit for years to come. The work in the churchyard was recognised by two visits from BBC TV’s Sunday Morning Live during which we were awarded our Eco Church Silver Award. It was a pleasure to host the inauguration service for the Ministry Area, with St Samlet’s Youth Group undertaking sterling work to service refreshments after the service. Later in the year, we were able to hold a first ‘normal’ Christmas celebration, free from Covid restrictions and with a fully open church! In St John’s we had the joy of celebrating Olive’s 100th birthday with plenty of cake. We also said farewell to Rev’d Jim Page who left us after his curacy with us and headed off to be chaplain to Faith in Families and latterly licenced to St Alban’s Treboeth, and St Teilo’s Caerethin.
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Clergy, Ofcers and Trustees serving on the Ministry Area Council
Chair/ MA Warden: John Mathewson
Clergy: Reverend Geraint Wathan Vicar of St Samlets, St John’s and St Paul’s
Treasurer: John Winchester
Ministry Area Administrator: Jill Govier
Llansamlet MA Reps: Jean Palmer, Jean Jones, Philip Hale
Ministry Area Representatives to Diocesan Standing Committee
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Afon Tawe Ministry Area Clerical Representative Reverend Anthony Porter
Afon Tawe Ministry Area Lay Representative Mrs Lyndsay Lewis
Both in place for three years 2023- 2026
Ministry Area Representatives to Diocesan Council
Afon Tawe Ministry Area Clerical Representative Reverend Geraint Wathan
Afon Tawe Ministry Area Clerical Representative Reverend Anthony Porter
Afon Tawe Ministry Area Clerical Representative Reverend Canon Hugh Lervy
St Samlet
Following the commissioning and inaugural service of the Afon Tawe Ministry Area and the election of officers to the newly established Afon Tawe Ministry Area Council.
The Afon Tawe Ministry Area Council (MAC) has been working towards bringing the three Parishes of St David's, Llangyfelach and St Samlet's together and working within the constitution of the Church in Wales to promote the Word of God within the Ministry Area.
We would like to thank all those who have worked so hard over the past year to make the MA a success and look forward to building on the foundations of all their hard work in the coming year.
John Mathewson MA Warden
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Ministry to Children and Young Adults
St Samlet
This group meets on a Sunday in the Church Hall between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. It is open to all young people in comprehensive school and there is no cost involved for the families.
We begin and end with prayers and on special Sundays we have a short service in Church.
There is a very wide range of activities from sport to table games, quiz time to cooking.
In the middle of the session there is a shared meal with time to discuss, chat and laugh together.
Each school holiday we try to arrange a special activity and all the youngsters participate in planning for these and for our weekly activities and meals. All leaders are DBS checked and are very committed to the youth attending our church and linked to our church.
A warm welcome is extended to any young person who would like to ‘try us out’ and perhaps join.
Leaders are: Moira Bibby, John Winchester, Shannon Sheldon and Ray Bryant (on placement from Llangyfelach)
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Moira Bibby
After School Club
St Samlet
These Clubs offer many opportunities for families and children to integrate within the community and church.
These sessions provide stimulation, education t for the children to enhance their skills, whilst enjoying themselves. Whilst we have positive links with Ysgol Lon Las and Shine Cymru, we also provide free sessions for three days per week to children from families in need of support. The children we see on a regular basis come from multi-cultural and different socio-economic backgrounds. Having children with many different needs gives diversity which we welcome and respect as part of our Christian commitment and charitable status.
All the After School Clubs sessions are funded by volunteers, with the monies received being paid directly to the church. They are the only group within the church to hold a 5-star Food Hygiene Certificate. All volunteers hold current DBS checks.
Sue Bowen
Head of After School Clubs
St Samlets
During 2023, Bishop John came to bless the Community Garden in the churchyard and planted a plum tree which we hope will bear fruit for years to come. The work in the churchyard was recognised by two visits from BBC TV’s Sunday Morning Live during which we were awarded our Eco Church Silver Award. Congratulations to everyone involved.
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St Samlets
Our Server’s continue to enhance our worship in the church. We have recently trained new Server’s, and more are awaiting training.
It is acknowledged by all those who have been trained that this is a privilege and are respectful of this role.
Sue Bowen Head Server
Pastoral group
St Samlet’s
Our group has grown in number of volunteers and in our activities. We visit people where we are needed, we contact hospitals to inform the chaplain and request a visit if necessary and we send relevant cards to people.
We also have a telephone chat line that is working well. Our volunteers must be DBS always checked and completed the necessary safeguarding training and work in pairs. Confidentiality is very important, and a record of visits, chats and cards sent is kept.
The group meet every 4 to 5 weeks to plan work in all areas.
Moira Bibby
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