Church Growth Fund grant brings fresh approach to family worship in Bro Dwylan

The Faith Alive project at Eglwys Dewi Sant in Penmaenmawr has modernised Sunday services with contemporary music, arts, and crafts. The project was funded by a Tier 1 grant from the Church in Wales’s Church Growth Fund.

Revd Andy Broadbent, curate in the Bro Dwylan Ministry Area in the Diocese of Bangor said “We identified as a church that we weren’t really connecting with any of the young people in our villages, so we came up with the idea of Faith Alive. The idea was that Faith Alive would be something that’s fun, inviting and inclusive.”

At the heart of the project is the Faith Alive service itself, which features modern music, engaging and easy-to-understand preaching, and a liturgy that’s simple to follow. It’s designed to create a relaxed and inviting environment where both newcomers and regular churchgoers feel at home.

But Faith Alive goes beyond the Sunday service. It’s a wider programme filled with creative activities that give children, teenagers, and families several ways to get involved. Each activity is designed to gently guide participants towards the main service, creating a pathway into church life that feels approachable and relevant.

The Church Growth Fund is now accepting applications for Tier 1 grants (up to £10,000) and Tier 2 grants (over £10,000).