Governing Body meeting – September 4-5

Christians facing persecution and churches overseas will be on the agenda of a key meeting of Church in Wales members next month.

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo, will address the Church’s Governing Body, which meets on September 4-5 at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter.

The Church in Wales is one of the 46 churches across the world that make up the Anglican Communion. Bishop Anthony has led the Communion’s secretariat for the past two years and this will be his first visit in that role to the Church in Wales. He will give a presentation on the Anglican Communion’s work and will preach at the opening service of worship.

Members will also hear about the work of the Open Doors charity in helping persecuted Christians and those unable to practise their faith freely. Jim Stewart, the charity’s Wales Church Relations Manager, will give a presentation on the charity’s progress.

As an international church, we are also acutely aware of how difficult it is for many Christians to live or worship in some places

The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, welcomes both speakers. He says, “The Church in Wales serves our nation but we are also privileged to be part of a global community of churches called the Anglican Communion. Over the years we have built up partnerships and links with churches overseas, which have richly blessed us and developed an important international perspective to our ministry. I am delighted to welcome Bishop Anthony to our Governing Body meeting and am looking forward to hearing his thoughts on the priorities of the Anglican Communion and how the Church in Wales can continue to play its part.

“As an international church, we are also acutely aware of how difficult it is for many Christians to live or worship in some places, as they face persecution and danger because of their faith. The presentation from Jim Stewart of Open Doors will focus on their plight, update us on the charity’s work and outline what we can do to offer help and support.

“I hope these two presentations will remind the Church in Wales of our role and responsibilities to our international neighbours, particularly at this time when it seems tensions are growing across the world.”

The Governing Body has up to 144 elected clergy and lay people from across Wales, representing all the Church’s six dioceses, and includes all the bishops. Other items on this meeting’s agenda include:

• A keynote address by the Archbishop of Wales as President of the Governing Body;
• The launch of the Bishops’ Advent course, O Come Let Us Adore Him;
• A recommendation to amend the working hours and holidays of clergy to improve their work/life balance.

The meeting will be live-streamed via a link on the Church in Wales website and YouTube channel