Y Ddolen
Dydd Gwener 14 Tachwedd
Colect
Dad nefol,
y datguddiwyd dy fendigedig Fab i ddatod gweithredoedd y diafol
a’n gwneud ni’n blant i Dduw
ac yn etifeddion bywyd tragwyddol,
caniatâ i ni, a’r gobaith hwn gennym,
ein puro ein hunain fel y mae ef yn bur;
fel, pan ddaw drachefn mewn nerth a gogoniant mawr y'n gwneir ni’n debyg iddo ef yn ei deyrnas ogoneddus a thragwyddol;
caniatâ hyn er mwyn dy Fab Iesu Grist,
i’r hwn gyda thi a’r Ysbryd Glân y bo’r deyrnas,
y gallu a’r gogoniant,
yn oes oesoedd.
Mae Duw wedi galw Pobl, nid ‘nhw a ni’
O'r bregeth a draddodwyd gan Archesgob Cymru Cherry Vann yn ei gwasanaeth gorseddu ar ddydd Sadwrn 8 Tachwedd.
Yn ôl yng nghanol y 1990au, dwi ddim yn siŵr pryd yn union, deuthum ar draws cerdd sydd wedi glynu gyda mi byth ers hynny. Nid wyf yn gwybod sut na pham y deuthum ar ei thraws, ond mae wedi siapio fy nealltwriaeth o weinidogaeth ac o'r eglwys dros y blynyddoedd ac mae'n ymddangos yn eithaf addas I’w rhannu gyda chi ar achlysur fel hyn.
Ei theitl yw 'In search of a round table' a'i hawdur yw rhywun o'r enw Chuck Laythrop. Dyma rai rhannau ohoni:
Concerning the why and how and what and who of ministry, one image keeps surfacing: A table that is round.
It will take some sawing to be roundtabled.
Some redefining and redesigning, some redoing and rebirthing of narrow-long Churching can painful be, for people and tables.
It would mean no daising and throning, for but one king is there and he is a foot washer, at table no less.
And what of narrow-long ministers when they confront a round table people,
After years of working up the table to finally sit at its head
Only to discover that the table has been turned around?They must be loved into roundness,
For God has called a People, not ‘them and us’.
‘Them and us’ are unable to gather round; for at a round table there are no sides and ALL are invited to wholeness and to food..
Roundtabling means no preferred seating, no first and last, no better,
And no corners for the ‘least of these.’
Roundtabling means being with, a part of, together and one. It means room for the Spirit and gifts and disturbing profound peace for all.
Beth fyddai'n ei gymryd i ni ddod yn eglwys 'bwrdd crwn'? Pa beth y medrwn ni ei rannu yn well gyda 'r byd, a pha beth y medrwn fod dros y byd pe baem, mewn difri’, yn Bobl, ac nid yn 'nhw a ni'?
Amser cythryblus yw ein hamser ni. Mae rhaniadau a chasineb, diffyg ymddiriedaeth a diffyg gwybodaeth yn amlwg ar draws ein byd ac yn ein cymdeithasau yma yng Nghymru. Ymddengys bod tueddiad cynyddol, anogaeth hyd yn oed (gan rai o leiaf) i ddiffinio ein hunain drosodd ac yn erbyn eraill mewn ffyrdd sy'n bygwth cydlyniant cymunedol y mae llawer wedi treulio degawdau yn ceisio ei adeiladu. Mae llawer yn ofni wrth weld rhyfeloedd a thensiynau ledled y byd yn cael eu hadlewyrchu yn ein strydoedd a'n cymunedau ni. Mae'n anodd weithiau i wybod beth i'w ddweud heb ofn tramgwyddo rhywun neu ryw grŵp o bobl. Ond ar yr un pryd, nid fu erioed mor bwysig inni amddiffyn yr hawl i ryddid lleferydd.
Mae newid yn yr hinsawdd eisoes yn dinistrio bywoliaethau a chartrefi. Mae cynnydd parhaus yn y costau byw yn gwneud llawer yn ofnus ac yn bryderus am y dyfodol.
Er na all yr eglwys ddatrys problemau'r byd, fe gawn ein galw i fodelu ffordd wahanol iawn o fyw, sy'n cynnig ffordd arall o fyw ac sy’n cynnig y gobaith a gawn yn Nheyrnas Dduw. Mae'r gerdd am greu bwrdd crwn yn adlewyrchu rhai themâu allweddol yn yr efengyl, sef y newyddion da am Iesu, y newyddion da y cawn galw i’w gyhoeddi gyda phopeth yr ydym a phopeth sydd gennym.
Ac felly, yn ein hagweddau a'n hymddygiad, yn y penderfyniadau rydyn ni'n eu cymryd a'r gwerthoedd rydyn ni'n eu cefnogi, yn y ffordd rydyn ni'n byw ac yn ymwneud â'n gilydd, nid oes 'ni a nhw’. Oherwydd mae pawb wedi'u creu gan Dduw a'u gwneud ar ddelw Duw. Dyna'n man cychwyn. Er ei fod yn anodd weithiau, cawn ein gwahodd gan Dduw i ddathlu amrywiaeth ein dynoliaeth fyd-eang a'i gofleidio fel rhodd. Yn economi Duw, estynnir gwahoddiad i bawb ac mae croeso i bawb fel plant yr un tad nefol. Rydyn ni'n un ynddo.
Nid oes gorseddu na dyrchafu – sydd braidd yn eironig yng nghyd-destun yr hyn sy'n digwydd yma y prynhawn yma, gydag orsedd eithaf mawr yn eistedd yng nghanol y llwyfan. Ond mae'r efengyl yn ein hatgoffa, fel y mae'r gerdd, ein bod ni i gyd yn gyfartal yng ngolwg Duw. Nid yw Duw’n ymwneud â hierarchaeth. Yn wir, mae Iesu mewn llawer o’i ddamhegion a’i ddywediadau yn troi wyneb i waered ein tueddiadau naturiol i feddwl yn nhermau mawredd, rhagoriaeth, goruchafiaeth a phwysigrwydd. Yn hytrach, mae'n ein rhybuddio y bydd y cyntaf yn olaf a'r olaf yn gyntaf. Rydyn ni i weld eraill fel y mae Duw yn eu gweld, ac i weld ni ein hunain yn yr un modd.
Ac rydym i gymryd ein harwain gan Grist ein Brenin, sef dim llai na’r golchwr traed wrth y bwrdd. Oherwydd dyma'r esiampl y mae'n ei osod i ni ei dilyn, fel y clywsom eiliad yn ôl yn ein darlleniad o’r efengyl. Ond mae hyn yn ymwneud â mwy na dim ond gwasanaethu'r rhai yn ein llwyth neu yn ein heglwys ein hunain, neu'r bobl sy'n debyg i ni. Mewn man arall, mae Iesu yn dweud wrthym, pan fyddwn yn bwydo'r newynog, yn croesawu'r dieithryn, yn ymweld â'r cleifion a'r carcharorion, pan fyddwn yn gofalu am y rhai sy'n cael eu hystyried fel 'y lleiaf o'r rhain', yna rydyn ni'n gwneud hynny drosto ef. Dyma sut mae cariad yn edrych yn ei dermau sylfaenol a mwyaf ymarferol.
Mae'r cyfan yn swnio'n gymeradwy ac yn anrhydeddus iawn, ac yn ac mae'r cyfan yn gyfarwydd iawn i'r rhai ohonom sy'n honni ein bod yn dilyn Iesu. Ond, os ydym yn ei gymryd o ddifrif ac yn ceisio ei wireddu yn ein bywydau, yna buan iawn y byddwn yn canfod mai gwaith called yw hyn. Nid yw'n dod yn hawdd.
Gan ei fod yn golygu estyn allan ar draws y rhaniadau, a mynd i’r perygl o gael ein gwrthod a'n gwawdio am ein hymdrechion. Mae'n golygu cydfyw a chydfodoli - mewn gras a chariad a chyda chalon agored - gyda'r rhai sy'n gwthio ein botymau ac sy’n ein cythruddo y tu hwnt i fesur. Mae'n golygu bod yn barod i adael ein grym a'n meistrolaeth er mwyn grymuso a galluogi eraill, a bod yn barod i gael ein herio a'n newid gan y rhai sy'n dod atom, boed i'n heglwys neu i'n gwlad, ac i geisio canfod Crist hyd yn oed yn y rhai sy'n ein wrthun gennym, y rhai sy’n difrïo a’r rhai sy’n bygwth ein bywydau cyfforddus.
Nid oedd Eseia ond yn gallu dweud y geiriau annwyl hynny, 'dyma fi, anfonwch fi' gan ei fod wedi cael cip ar weledigaeth o ogoniant yr Arglwydd. Roedd wedi cydnabod ei annheilyngdod ef ei hun ac roedd wedi profi maddeuant a gras Duw. Wedyn, a dim ond wedyn, y cafodd ei gymell a'i ysgogi i gynnig ei hun i wasanaeth Duw. Ac mae'r adnodau sy'n dilyn ein darn heddiw yn nodi pa mor anhygoel o heriol oedd y dasg a roddwyd iddo.
Mae Sant Paul yn cymharu gwendid a breuder ei natur ddynol a'n natur ddynol ninnau â llestri pridd; a’r rheiny wedi eu treulio, eu hanharddu a’u cracio gan ofynion, clwyfau a siomedigaethau bywyd. Mae'n atgoffa ei ddarllenwyr i beidio â chymysgu trysor yr efengyl a'i grym trawsnewidiol gyda'n gallu a'n cryfder dynol ni ein hunain sydd mor gyfyngedig ac mor fregus. Rhaid i'n ffocws a'n sylw fod ar y newyddion da rydyn ni'n ei gario ynom a grym Duw sydd wedi ein newid, ac sy’n gallu ein newid o hyd. Oherwydd dyna beth sydd ei angen mor ddybryd ar y byd, a dyna beth y cawn ein galw i'w gyhoeddi; nid ni ein hunain.
Ac yn esiampl Iesu o wasanaeth cariadus y gwelwn galon Duw sy'n cael ei grynhoi yn y ddelwedd o fwrdd crwn lle y mae gwahoddiad, croeso a bwyd i bawb.
Ffordd wahanol o fyw. Ffordd wahanol o fod. Nid ffordd inni ei mwynhau a’i chadw i ni ein hunain o fewn yr eglwys. Ond ffordd inni ei rhannu gyda 'r byd a ffordd inni fodoli dros y byd.
Rhodded Duw ras inni garu ein gilydd yn grwn, yn yr eglwys ac yn y byd, fel y canfyddwn yn fwyfwy yr hyn yw ‘bod gyda, bod yn rhan, bod ynghyd, a bod yn un.’
Gorseddu 15fed Archesgob Cymru
Cafodd Archesgob Cymru, Y Parchedicaf Cherry Vann, ei gorseddu mewn gwasanaeth cenedlaethol yn Eglwys Gadeiriol Sant Gwynllyw, Casnewydd, ddydd Sadwrn Tachwedd 8fed.
Yn y seremoni, cafodd Archesgob Cherry ei gorseddu yn y Gadair Archesgobol o flaen yr Uwch Allor. Bydd y Gadair yn aros yn Eglwys Gadeiriol Casnewydd drwy gydol ei chyfnod fel Archesgob.
Y Parchg Karen Morris, a ordeiniwyd yn Ddiacon eleni yng Nghadeirlan Bangor, oedd un o gaplaniaid yr Archesgob.
Roedd y gwasanaeth yn cynnwys y Kyrie yn y Gymraeg a gyfansoddwyd gan Paul Mealor, a ganwyd yng Nghoroni'r Brenin Siarl yn 2023. Fe'i canwyd gan y bas-bariton ifanc o Gymru, Owain Wyn Rowlands. Cymerodd y cyn-Delynores Frenhinol, Alis Huws, a chwaraeodd yn y Coroni hefyd, ran hefyd.
Arweiniodd Croes Cymru, Croes orymdeithiol a roddwyd gan y Brenin fel rhodd i'r eglwysi yng Nghymru ar gyfer ei chanmlwyddiant, yr orymdaith i'r eglwys gadeiriol.
Cyfarfod o’r Corff Llywodraethol
Mae Corff Llywodraethol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru yn cynnal cyfarfod arbennig y mis hwn i drafod y swydd esgobol wag yn esgobaeth Bangor.
Ar ôl ymddeoliad yr Esgob Andrew John ddiwedd mis Awst, galwyd Coleg Etholiadol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru a chyfarfu mewn dau gyfarfod rhagarweiniol i drafod ethol yr esgob nesaf ac i wahodd ymgeiswyr posibl i ymateb i'r swydd wag. Yn dilyn y broses hon, penderfynodd y Coleg Etholiadol beidio â ffurfio rhestr fer o ymgeiswyr ac felly peidio â bwrw ymlaen â'r broses etholiadol am y tro, ond ceisiodd gymeradwyaeth Corff Llywodraethol yr Eglwys, trwy ei Bwyllgor Sefydlog, am ddull amgen, dros dro.
Cynigir gwahodd esgob profiadol i Fangor dros dro, am gyfnod o un i ddwy flynedd i ddarparu arweinyddiaeth a sefydlogrwydd ac i weithio gyda'r esgobaeth i gryfhau arweinyddiaeth, cyllid, llywodraethu a rheolaeth cyn ethol esgob esgobaethol newydd.
Er mwyn gwneud hyn, bydd angen i'r Corff Llywodraethu gymeradwyo cynnig i wneud rhai newidiadau cyfyngedig i'r Cyfansoddiad i ganiatáu’r penodiad dros-dro. Bydd y cynigion yn cael eu trafod mewn cyfarfod arbennig o'r Corff Llywodraethol yn Venue Cymru yn Llandudno ddydd Mawrth 25 Tachwedd 2025.
Y cynnig, sydd wedi cael ei gefnogi gan y Pwyllgor Sefydlog, yw'r cam diweddaraf o'r gwaith sy'n cael ei arwain gan Archesgob Cymru, y Parchedig Cherry Vann i fynd i'r afael â'r hyn y mae hi wedi'i ddisgrifio fel yr "heriau ariannol a sefydliadol anodd" sy'n wynebu'r esgobaeth ar hyn o bryd.
Teithwyr mordaith yn barod i archwilio stori 1,500 mlynedd Bangor
Mae teithwyr llongau mordaith sy'n cyrraedd Porthladd Caergybi ar fin mwynhau cyrchfan gyffrous newydd ar eu taith yng Ngogledd Cymru, sef dinas hanesyddol Bangor, lle bydd 1,500 o flynyddoedd o dreftadaeth yn dod yn fyw trwy gerddoriaeth, diwylliant a chroeso cynnes Cymru.
Yn dilyn ymweliad llwyddiannus rhwng Cyngor Dinas Bangor a Cruise Wales, a chyfarfod cyflwyniadol cadarnhaol gyda phartneriaid sy'n trin llongau mordaith ar y tir, mae'r trafodaethau wedi bod yn galonogol iawn. Nod y cydweithrediad yw dod â theithwyr llongau mordaith i Fangor o fis Ebrill 2026, gan nodi cam arwyddocaol wrth gryfhau rôl y ddinas o fewn sector twristiaeth sy'n tyfu yng Ngogledd Cymru.
Mae cynlluniau’n datblygu i wneud Eglwys Gadeiriol Deiniol Sant yn ganolbwynt profiad diwylliannol newydd i westeion sy’n glanio yng Nghaergybi, gyda cherddoriaeth fyw, teithiau tywys, canu clychau, a lluniaeth draddodiadol sy’n dathlu treftadaeth unigryw Bangor a hunaniaeth Gymreig.
Meddai Deon Cadeirlan Bangor Manon Ceridwen James, "Rydym yn falch iawn o gydweithio mewn partneriaeth â chyngor y ddinas i groesawu ymwelwyr i’n dinas arbennig. Fe gaiff teithwyr mordeithiau gyfle i gael blas ar hanes y gadeirlan fel man myfyrdod ac ysbrydolrwydd a, gobeithiwn, y profiad o Dduw ei hun hefyd. Gobeithiwn y bydd yr ymwelwyr yn ogystal yn buddsoddi yn ein heconomi ym Mangor. Rydym yn ddiolchgar i’r cyngor am archwilio a datblygu’r cyfleoedd hyn a fydd o fudd i ni i gyd yn y ddinas."
Duw a Dysgwyr 'Dolig 2025
Ymunwch â ni ar gyfer ein Gwasanaeth Carolau Nadolig Duw a Dysgwyr arbennig ar gyfer dysgwyr a siaradwyr Cymraeg rhugl.
Mwynhewch gerddi Nadolig a charolau Cymraeg, wedi’u dilyn gan ginio byffe a chyfle i ddathlu’r Nadolig a chymhwyso’ch Cymraeg mewn amgylchedd croesawgar a chefnogol.
Dydd Llun 1 Rhagfyr 2025 am 12.30yp, Cadeirlan Bangor.
Beth yw Godly Play?
Mae Godly Play yn helpu plant (ac oedolion hefyd) i archwilio straeon y Beibl drwy chwarae, rhyfeddu a myfyrdod tawel. Mae’n adrodd straeon syml a defnyddio deunyddiau ymarferol i helpu pobl feddwl am Dduw yn eu ffordd eu hunain.
Hoffem ganfod pwy yn ein hesgobaeth sy’n defnyddio Godly Play eisoes, a hefyd a fyddai eraill â diddordeb mewn dysgu mwy neu gael hyfforddiant.
Os ydych eisoes yn defnyddio Godly Play neu os hoffech wybod sut i ddechrau, cysylltwch â Debbie Peck.
Arolwg Sero Net o'r Eglwys yng Nghymru
Mae'r Eglwys yng Nghymru yn ceisio barn o bob cwr o'r Dalaith ar newid hinsawdd a sero net.
Bum mlynedd ers i Gorff Llywodraethol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru fabwysiadu'r cynnig Sero Net 2030 yn unfrydol, mae'n bryd i ni werthuso ein cynnydd sero net hyd yn hyn a helpu i lywio ein blaenoriaethau wrth symud ymlaen.
Helpwch i lywio dadl sero net y Corff Llywodraethol ym mis Ebrill 2026 trwy gwblhau ein harolwg sero net ar-lein. Gellir cael mynediad at hwn yma:
https://beaufort.welcomesyourfeedback.net/7330ub
Mae Beaufort Research, asiantaeth Ymchwil Marchnad annibynnol wedi'i lleoli yng Nghaerdydd, yn casglu ac yn dadansoddi'r holl ymatebion ar ran yr Eglwys yng Nghymru.
Gallwch weld trosolwg o'r arolwg i helpu i arwain eich trafodaethau cyn cyflwyno eich ymateb.
Dylai'r arolwg gymryd tua 10 munud i'w gwblhau a'r dyddiad cau ar gyfer ymatebion yw dydd Sul 30 Tachwedd 2025.
Os oes unrhyw ymholiadau ynghylch yr arolwg, cysylltwch â Julia Edwards.
Hyfforddiant Diogelu Tachwedd - Rhagfyr
Mae dyddiadau ar gyfer hyfforddiant diogelu ar gyfer Medi i Ragfyr bellach ar ein gwefan.
Cwrs B (ar-lein)
- Dydd Mawrth 18 Tachwedd: 1-3.30pm
Cwrs C
- Dydd Mawrth 2 Rhagfyr: 1-4pm, Eglwys Sant Pedr, Machynlleth.
Rhaid i chi drefnu eich hyfforddiant ar y wefan Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru.
Swyddi Esgobaeth Bangor
Rydym hefyd yn recriwtio ar gyfer:
Calendr
Tachwedd
Agor Eglwysi i Groesawu Pobl – Safbwynt yr Yswiriwr
Dydd Gwener 14 Tachwedd 1yp
Ydych chi’n ystyried agor eich adeilad eglwys yn amlach i’r gymuned, i ymwelwyr achlysurol neu i dwristiaid – ond yn teimlo’n ansicr am y goblygiadau o ran diogelwch a sicrwydd? Ymunwch â Heather Ford, Rheolwr Cefnogi Eglwysi yn Ecclesiastical Insurance, ar gyfer sesiwn Zoom ymarferol a defnyddiol awr o hyd a fydd yn eich tywys trwy’r camau i agor eich drysau’n hyderus tra’n cadw pawb yn ddiogel.
Byddwch yn darganfod:
- Sut i asesu a rheoli risgiau posibl
- Camau ymarferol i sicrhau bod eich eglwys yn groesawgar ac yn ddiogel
- Ffyrdd o gydbwyso croeso â stiwardiaeth dda
Boed eich eglwys yn archwilio cyfleoedd newydd i wasanaethu’r gymuned neu’n dymuno adnewyddu ei dull o sicrhau diogelwch, bydd y sesiwn hon yn cynnig arweiniad clir ac ymarferol i’ch helpu symud ymlaen gyda hyder.
Gofal ein Gwinllan: Cyfraniad yr Eglwys yng Nghymru i'r Gymraeg a'i Diwylliant
19 Tachwedd, 7.30yp
Archebwch yma.
Rhannu Gwybodaeth
Os hoffech rannu hysbys, newydd am ddigwyddiadau neu adnoddau yma, cysylltwch â Matt Batten erbyn diwedd y ddydd Mercher cyn iddi gael ei gyhoeddi.
Y Ddolen
Friday 14 November
Collect
Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope,
may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
grant this for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
God has called a People, not ‘them and us’
From the sermon preached by the Archbishop of Wales Cherry Vann at her enthronement service on Saturday 8 November.
Back in the mid 1990’s, I’m not sure exactly when, I came across a poem that has stuck with me ever since. I don’t know how or why it came my way but it has shaped my understanding of ministry and of the church down the years and it seems rather fitting to reflect on it with you on an occasion such as this.
Its title is ‘In search of a round table’ and its author, someone called Chuck Laythrop. Here are some parts of it:
Concerning the why and how and what and who of ministry, one image keeps surfacing: A table that is round.
It will take some sawing to be roundtabled.
Some redefining and redesigning, some redoing and rebirthing of narrow-long Churching can painful be, for people and tables.
It would mean no daising and throning, for but one king is there and he is a foot washer, at table no less.
And what of narrow-long ministers when they confront a round table people,
After years of working up the table to finally sit at its head
Only to discover that the table has been turned around?
They must be loved into roundness,
For God has called a People, not ‘them and us’.
‘Them and us’ are unable to gather round; for at a round table there are no sides and ALL are invited to wholeness and to food.
Roundtabling means no preferred seating, no first and last, no better,
And no corners for the ‘least of these.’
Roundtabling means being with, a part of, together and one. It means room for the Spirit and gifts and disturbing profound peace for all.
What would it take for us to become a round tabled church? What might we be better able to share with the world and be for the world if we were truly a People, and not ‘them and us’?
We live in troubling times. Division and hate, mistrust and disinformation are rife across our world and in our societies here in Wales. There seems to be an increasing tendency, an encouragement even (from some at least) to define ourselves over and against others in ways that significantly threaten the community cohesion that many have spent decades trying to build. Many are frightened as wars and tensions across the world play out in our streets and our communities. It’s hard sometimes to know what to say without the fear of offending someone or some group of people. Whilst at the same time, the need to defend the right to freedom of speech has rarely been more urgent.
Climate change is already destroying livelihoods and homes. Continuing increases in the cost of living are rendering many fearful and anxious for the future.
Whilst the church cannot solve the world’s problems, we can and are called to model a very different way of going on, which holds out another way of being and the hope that is the Kingdom of God. The poem about roundtabling reflects some key themes in the gospel, the good news of Jesus, that we’re called to proclaim with all that we have and all that we are.
And so, in our attitudes and behaviours, in the decisions we take and the values we espouse, in the way we live and relate to one another, there is to be no ‘them and us’. For all are created by God and made in God’s very image and that is our starting point. Hard though it may be sometimes, we are invited by God to celebrate the diversity of our global humanity and to embrace it as a gift. In God’s economy, all are invited and all are welcome as children of the same heavenly father. We are one in him.
There is to be ‘no daising and throning’ – rather ironic in the context of what is happening here this afternoon, with a rather large throne sitting centre-stage. But the gospel reminds us, as does the poem, that we are all equal in God’s sight. God is not in the business of hierarchies. Indeed, Jesus in many of his parables and sayings turns upside-down our natural tendencies to think in terms of greatest and best, highest and most important. Rather, he warns us that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. We are to see others as God sees them, and ourselves likewise.
And we are to take our queue from Christ our King, who is a foot-washer at table, no less. For this is the example he sets for us to follow, as we heard a moment ago in our gospel reading. But this is about more than simply serving those in our own tribe or church or the people who are like us. In another passage, Jesus tells us that when we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, visit for the sick and those who are in prison, when we care for those who are considered to be ‘the least of these’, then we are doing it for him. This is what love looks like in its basic and most practical terms.
It all sounds very good and noble and it’s all very familiar to those of us who claim to follow Jesus. But, if we take it seriously and seek to live it out, then we soon discover that it’s hard work, and it doesn’t come easily.
For it means reaching out across the divides and risking being rejected and ridiculed for our efforts. It means staying with and being alongside those who push our buttons and infuriate us beyond measure with grace and charity and an open heart. It means being prepared to let go of our own power and ability to control in order to empower and enable others, to be challenged and changed by those who come, whether to our church or to our country, and to seek that of Christ even in those who repulse us, revile us and threaten our comfortable lives.
Isaiah was only able to say those well-loved words, ‘here am I, send me’ because he’d captured a vision of the glory of the Lord, he’d recognised his own unworthiness and he’d experienced the forgiveness and grace of God. Then and only then was he moved and stirred to offer himself for service. And the verses following our passage today spell out what an incredibly challenging task he was given.
St Paul compares the weakness and fragility of his and our human nature with clay jars; worn, pitted and cracked by the demands, hurts and disappointments of life. He reminds his readers not to confuse the treasure of the gospel and its power to transform with our own human ability and strength that are so limited and so easily broken. Our focus and attention must be on the good news we carry within us and the power of God that can and has changed us. For that is what the world so desperately needs and that is what we’re called to proclaim; not ourselves.
And in Jesus’s example of loving service we see the very heart of God which is encapsulated in the image of a round table to which all are invited, all are welcome and at which, all are fed.
A different way of living. A different way of being, which we’re invited not just to enjoy and keep for ourselves within the church, but to share with the world and be for the world.
May God give us grace to love one another into roundness, in the church and in the world, that we may increasingly discover what it means to ‘be with, to be a part of, together and one.’
Archbishop Cherry Vann
Enthronement of the 15th Archbishop of Wales
The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Reverend Cherry Vann, was enthroned in a national service at St Woolos Cathedral, Newport, on Saturday, 8th November.
At the ceremony in St Woolos Cathedral, Archbishop Cherry was enthroned in the Archepiscopal Chair in front of the High Altar. The Chair will remain at Newport Cathedral throughout her time as Archbishop.
Revd Karen Morris, who was ordained a Deacon this year at Bangor Cathedral, had the honour of serving as one of the Archbishop's chaplains.
The service featured the Welsh-language Kyrie composed by Paul Mealor, which was sung at the Coronation of King Charles in 2023. It was sung by the young Welsh bass-baritone Owain Wyn Rowlands. The former Royal Harpist, Alis Huws, who also played at the Coronation, also took part.
The Cross of Wales, a processional Cross given by The King as a gift to the churches in Wales for its centenary, led the procession into the cathedral.
Governing Body meeting – November 25, 2025
The Governing Body of the Church in Wales holds a special meeting this month to discuss the episcopal vacancy in the diocese of Bangor.
Following the retirement of Bishop Andrew John at the end of August, the Church in Wales’s Electoral College was called and met at two preliminary meetings to discuss the election of the next bishop and to invite potential candidates to respond to the vacancy. Following this process the Electoral College decided not to form a shortlist of candidates and to therefore not take forward the election process for the time being, but sought the approval of the Church's Governing Body, via its Standing Committee, for an alternative, interim, approach.
It is proposed that an experienced bishop should be invited to Bangor on an interim basis, for a period of one to two years to provide leadership and stability and to work with the diocese to strengthen leadership, finance, governance and management in advance of the election of a new diocesan bishop.
In order to do this, the Governing Body will need to approve a motion which makes some time-limited changes to the Constitution to allow for the interim appointment. These proposals will be discussed at a special meeting of the Governing Body at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Tuesday 25 November 2025.
The proposal, which has been supported by the Standing Committee, is the latest stage of the work being led by the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann to address what she has described as the “tough financial and organisational challenges” currently facing the diocese.
Cruise passengers set to explore Bangor’s 1,500-year story
Cruise passengers arriving at Holyhead Port are set to enjoy an exciting new destination on their North Wales itinerary, the historic city of Bangor, where 1,500 years of heritage will come to life through music, culture, and warm Welsh hospitality.
Following a successful visit between Bangor City Council and Cruise Wales, and a positive introductory meeting with cruise lines and ground-handlers, the discussions have been highly encouraging. The collaboration aims to bring cruise passengers to Bangor in the near future, marking a significant step in strengthening the city’s role within North Wales’ growing tourism sector.
Plans are developing to make St Deiniol’s Cathedral the centrepiece of a new cultural experience for guests disembarking at Holyhead, featuring live music, guided tours, bell ringing, and traditional refreshments that celebrate Bangor’s unique heritage and Welsh identity.
Dean of Bangor Cathedral, Manon Ceridwen James, says, "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the city council to welcome visitors to our brilliant city. Cruise passengers will have the opportunity to experience the long history of the cathedral as a place of prayer and spirituality and also, we hope, an experience of God himself. We are thankful for the council in exploring and developing these opportunities which will benefit us all in the city."
Duw a Dysgwyr 'Dolig 2025
Join us for our special Duw a Dysgwyr Christmas Carol Service for learners and fluent Welsh speakers.
Enjoy festive Welsh poems and Christmas carols, followed by a buffet lunch and an opportunity to celebrate Christmas and practise your Welsh in a welcoming, supportive environment.
Monday, 1 December 2025 at 12.30pm, Bangor Cathedral.
What is Godly Play?
Godly Play helps children (and adults too) explore Bible stories through play, wondering, and quiet reflection. It uses simple storytelling and hands-on materials to help people think about God in their own way.
We’d like to find out who in our diocese is already using Godly Play, and whether others would be interested in learning more or getting training.
If you already use Godly Play or would like to know how to start, please contact Debbie Peck
Net Zero Survey 2025
The Church in Wales is inviting views from across the Province on climate change and our journey towards net zero.
It has been five years since the Governing Body unanimously adopted the Net Zero 2030 motion, committing the Church to reducing its carbon footprint to net zero by 2030. As we look ahead, we are taking this opportunity to evaluate our progress and shape our priorities for the future.
We are asking members and clergy to take part in our Net Zero Survey. Your feedback will help inform the Governing Body’s discussions on net zero at its April 2026 meeting. The survey can be accessed here.
The survey is being conducted by Beaufort Research, an independent market research agency based in Cardiff, on behalf of the Church in Wales. It should take around 10 minutes to complete, and responses will remain confidential.
You can access an overview of the survey to help guide your discussions before submitting your response.
The closing date for this survey is Sunday, 30 November 2025.
Any queries regarding the survey please contact juliaedwards@churchinwales.org.uk
Safeguarding dates November - December
Dates for safeguarding training for November to December are now on our website.
Module B online
- Tuesday 18 November: 1pm - 3.30pm.
Module C
- Tuesday 2 December: 1pm - 4pm, St Peters Church, Machynlleth.
Remember to book your training session on the Church in Wales website.
Vacancies
Three opportunities to serve communities on Anglesey:
Calendar
November
Open Churches to Welcome People In – An Insurer’s Perspective
Friday 14th November 1pm, Zoom
Are you thinking about opening your church building more often to the community, occasional visitors or tourists but feeling unsure about the safety and security implications? Join Heather Ford, Church Support Manager at Ecclesiastical Insurance, for a one hour practical and informative Zoom session designed to help you confidently open your doors while keeping everyone safe.
You’ll discover:
• How to assess and manage potential risks
• Practical steps to ensure your church remains welcoming and secure
• Ways to balance hospitality with good stewardship
Whether your church is exploring new opportunities for community use or simply wants to refresh its safety approach, this session will provide clear guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
Gofal ein Gwinllan: Exploring the Church in Wales' role in Welsh language and culture.
19 November, 7.00pm
Book here
Sharing information
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