What would you ask a vicar if you could ask absolutely anything?

On Tuesday 25 August, Reverend Matt Davis from St George’s Church will be hosting an open and informal evening at the Queens Ballroom in the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company Bar.

Questions can be about faith, life, God, church, doubt, politics, the community, what a vicar actually does, or anything else you have ever wondered about. No question is too big, too small or too awkward.

This event is open to everyone. You might be a Christian, someone who has never been to church, someone exploring faith, or simply curious. You can ask your question yourself or write it down anonymously on the night.

There is no pressure, no sermon and no expectation that you agree with everything said. It is simply an opportunity for an open and honest conversation.

Event details

Date: Tuesday 25 August 2026
Venue: The Queens Ballroom, Tredegar Iron and Coal Company Bar
Doors open: 6.00pm
Questions: 6.30pm to 8.00pm
Entry: Free

Drinks will be available to purchase from the bar.

Come with a question, a doubt, or simply because you are curious. Everyone is welcome.

The Annual Vestry Meeting of the Mynydd Bedwellte Ministry Area will take place on:

📅 Sunday 26th July 2026
🕓 4:00pm
📍 St George’s Church, Tredegar

Everyone is warmly welcome to attend.

This is one of the most important meetings in the life of our Ministry Area. It is an opportunity for us to look back with gratitude for all that God has done over the past year, and to look forward together as we continue to serve our communities in faith.

The Annual Vestry Meeting is where we review the work of our churches, receive reports and accounts, elect people to key leadership roles, and make decisions that help shape the future direction of our Ministry Area. It is a practical expression of our shared calling to care for God’s Church together. 

Every Gift Matters

The Church is often compared to a body, where every person has an important part to play. Whether your gifts are in leadership, finance, administration, practical maintenance, hospitality, worship, or simply encouraging others, there is a place for you.

As St Paul reminds us:

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts… so it is with Christ.”

Our Ministry Area depends on people who are willing to offer their time, skills and experience so that our churches can continue to worship God, serve our communities and share the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Could God Be Calling You?

This year we are looking to appoint people to a number of important roles across the Ministry Area.

These include:

• Ministry Area Council (MAC) members
• Local Church Council members
• Church Wardens
• Ministry Area Wardens
• Lay Co-Chair
• Treasurers and other supporting roles

Many of these positions do not require specialist knowledge, only a willingness to serve, work as part of a team and care for the future of the Church. Support and training are available, and no one serves alone. 

Come and Be Part of the Conversation

Whether you have been part of the church for many years or have only recently become involved, your voice matters.

By coming to the Annual Vestry Meeting, you are helping to ensure that our churches remain places of worship, welcome, mission and service for generations to come.

We hope to see as many people there as possible as we continue to build a vibrant and faithful future together.

Annual Vestry Meeting
Sunday 26th July 2026
4:00pm
St George’s Church, Tredegar

If you would like to know more about the meeting or any of the roles available, please do get in touch. We would be delighted to have a conversation with you about how you might serve God and your local church.

For generations, St Paul’s Church, Abertysswg has stood at the heart of village life. It has been a place where people have celebrated baptisms and weddings, gathered to mourn loved ones, marked important moments, found comfort in difficult times, and simply known that the church was there whenever it was needed.

Today, we are asking for the community’s help to ensure that continues.

A Church Loved by the Community

St Paul’s is much more than a historic building. It is part of Abertysswg’s story and identity. Many people, whether they attend church regularly or not, have memories connected to St Paul’s through family occasions, school visits, community events, or simply growing up with the church as part of village life.

However, like many rural churches, St Paul’s faces significant challenges.

Our congregation is small, and many of the people who have faithfully cared for the church over many years are now older. They have given an enormous amount of their time and energy, but they cannot do it alone anymore.

How You Can Help

We are looking for people who can offer practical support, including:

• Cleaning the church
• Grass cutting and gardening
• General maintenance and small repairs
• Helping organise events
• Supporting fundraising
• Joining a small team to care for the building and grounds

Even if you can only spare an hour every now and then, your help could make a real difference.

We Also Need Financial Support

Unlike many people assume, churches do not receive automatic government funding. Every repair, insurance bill, electricity payment, and maintenance cost has to be met through donations and fundraising.

Regular giving, however small, helps us plan for the future and keep St Paul’s open for everyone in the community.

Without both practical volunteers and financial support, it will become increasingly difficult to keep the church open for future generations.

A Community Meeting

We would love to hear from anyone who cares about the future of St Paul’s.

Community Meeting

📍 St Paul’s Church, Abertysswg
📅 Wednesday 22 July
🕕 6:00 pm

At the meeting, we will talk openly about the current situation, the challenges we face, what support is needed, and how local people can help shape the future of St Paul’s Church.

Whether you are able to volunteer, make a donation, share your skills, or simply want to know more, you are warmly invited to come along.

Looking to the Future

This isn’t simply about preserving a building. It’s about protecting a place that has served the people of Abertysswg for generations and ensuring it remains a place of faith, welcome, remembrance, and community for years to come.

Every offer of help matters.

If St Paul’s has ever been part of your life, or if you believe it should remain part of the village’s future, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we can help secure the future of St Paul’s Church, Abertysswg.

We are delighted to invite everyone to the Mynydd Bedwellte Ministry Area Big Gathering, a joyful afternoon and evening for people of all ages from across our churches and local communities.

The gathering will take place on Saturday 22nd August from 4pm until late at Littlest Dairy, Blackwood, NP12 0BQ.

This is an opportunity for us to come together, enjoy one another’s company and celebrate the life of our Ministry Area. Whether you attend church regularly, come occasionally or have never joined us before, you will be very welcome.

There will be plenty to enjoy throughout the event, including:

• Food and drink available to buy
• A community sing-along
• Outdoor games
• Bingo and a quiz
• Stalls and activities
• Time to relax, chat and have fun together

Tickets cost just £3 per person or £10 for a family.

Book through here:

https://tinyurl.com/7m48wskj

Come along, bring your family and friends, and help us make this a wonderful celebration of our churches, communities and shared life together. We look forward to seeing you there!

Last Saturday, St Sannan’s Church in Bedwellty welcomed visitors from across the local community for a wonderful Medieval Day.

We were delighted by the fantastic turnout and the enthusiasm of everyone who came along. Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed medieval combat demonstrations from Medieval Combat Wales, who introduced us to the sport of Buhurt. Rev Matt and Rev Ralph also had the chance to try on some of the armour and join in the fun.

There were plenty of activities for families, including sword and shield making, medieval crafts, and the opportunity to put some willing volunteers in the stocks. We also enjoyed a fascinating history talk from David Mills, which helped us learn more about the story of St Sannan’s and the community it has served for generations.

A special service was held in the church, giving us time to reflect on the spiritual roots of the building and the Christian faith that has shaped its life. The day also created many opportunities for conversations and questions about faith, history, and the role of the church today.

A huge thank you to Medieval Combat Wales, David Mills, our volunteers, everyone who helped organise the event, and all those who came along. It was a joyful and memorable day, and we look forward to building on its success next year.

On Saturday 4th July, St Sannan’s Church in Bedwellty will be turning back the clock for a day of medieval history, faith, and fun.

From 10am until 4pm, visitors of all ages are invited to explore the rich heritage of one of the oldest churches in the area through a variety of activities and experiences.

There will be armoured combat demonstrations, giving a glimpse into the life and skills of medieval warriors. Those interested in local history can enjoy a fascinating history talk and follow a history trail around the church and grounds, discovering stories from centuries gone by.

As a living church with a history stretching back over a thousand years, St Sannan’s will also host a special candlelit service using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. This unique service offers an opportunity to experience worship in a style that has shaped Anglican spirituality for generations.

Throughout the day there will be food and drink available, opportunities to explore the church building, and plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy.

Whether you are interested in history, heritage, faith, architecture, or simply looking for a great family day out, there will be something for everyone.

St Sannan’s Medieval Day
📅 Saturday 4th July
🕙 10am – 4pm
📍 St Sannan’s Church, Bedwellty, Caerphilly, NP12 0BD
🎟 Free Entry

Come and discover the stories, faith, and community that have made St Sannan’s a place of worship and welcome for generations.

We look forward to welcoming you.

This week we gathered at St Sannan’s Church, Bedwellty, to explore the theme of Courageous Joy.

Joy is often spoken about as a feeling, something that comes when life is going well. Courage is often seen as something we need when life is difficult. Yet as Christians, we believe that these two things belong together. Courageous Joy is the spiritual strength to hold joy and courage side by side in everyday life.

It is not rooted in changing circumstances, ease, or success, but in trust in God’s unchanging faithfulness. It invites us to live with steady hope, even when life is uncertain, and to remain faithful when the path ahead seems difficult.

As we reflected together, we asked three simple but important questions.

What is the one thing you have or do that gives you joy?

The answers were varied. Some spoke about family and friends. Others found joy in nature, music, serving others, prayer, or simply spending time with God. It was a reminder that joy often appears in ordinary places if we are willing to notice it.

Has your faith ever been strengthened or stretched through change or challenging seasons, and what has that revealed about holding on to joy regardless?

Many of us know that faith is not formed in comfort alone. Times of change, uncertainty, grief, illness, disappointment, and challenge can deepen our trust in God. Looking back, we often discover that God was present even when we could not see it at the time.

These seasons teach us that Christian joy is not about pretending everything is fine. Rather, it is the confidence that God remains faithful, even when circumstances are not.

In what practical ways can we reflect a joy that encourages and strengthens others around us?

Joy is not something we keep to ourselves. A kind word, a welcoming smile, an offer of help, a listening ear, or a simple act of generosity can communicate hope to others.

In a world that often feels anxious and divided, people who live with genuine joy can become signs of God’s presence and love.

A Closing Reflection

Courageous Joy is the quiet strength to rejoice, trust, and continue faithfully. It is joy that does not retreat, and courage that does not despair.

Perhaps most importantly, Courageous Joy is not only personal. It can be contagious.

When we choose to trust God, when we continue to serve, when we encourage one another, and when we hold on to hope even in difficult times, others are strengthened too.

May we be people who live with Courageous Joy, rooted in Christ, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and sharing God’s hope wherever we are.

It was a lovely time of discussion.

We also enjoyed delicious cake together!

These services celebrate all that Jesus is doing in our ministry area.

Holy Week is not just something we remember, it’s something we step into.

It takes us on a journey with Jesus, from the joy of Palm Sunday to the sorrow of the cross, and finally to the hope of Easter morning. It invites us to slow down, reflect, and encounter God in a deeper way.

This year, we’ve created a simple Holy Week booklet to help you do just that. 

Each day includes a short Bible reading, a prayer, and a reflection to guide you. It’s not about doing more, but about making space. Space to listen, to notice, and to walk with Jesus through his final days.

As you move through the week, you’ll be invited to ask honest questions:
Will I follow when it’s costly?
What am I holding back?
Where do I need God to bring life?

And at the end of it all, we arrive at Easter.
The tomb is empty.
Jesus is alive.
And hope is renewed.

Take a few moments each day.
Step into the story.
You may find it speaks more deeply into your life than you expected.

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are moments when grief, fear, anger, or despair seem to settle over us like darkness. In those moments it can feel as though we are alone.

But the Christian story tells us something different.

Throughout the Bible we encounter people who walked through deep darkness. Job wrestled with suffering and loss. Jonah struggled with anger and resentment. Elijah collapsed under the weight of exhaustion and despair. Jeremiah grieved for a broken people. Ezekiel stood in a valley of dry bones where hope seemed gone.

Each of them faced darkness. And yet each of them discovered something profound.

They were not alone.

This Lent, we are creating a space to reflect on these moments and to hear again the promise that even in the darkest places God is present. Our upcoming reflective service, Darkness, invites us to pause, listen, pray, and explore how hope can be found even when life feels heavy.

The service will move through powerful biblical reflections on despair, grief, hatred, hopelessness, and death, reminding us that even in the valley, God meets us there.

Ultimately the story leads us to Jesus. In the garden, on the cross, and even in the tomb, Christ enters fully into human darkness and transforms it through resurrection life.

As the service reminds us:

Even in the depths, He is there.
Even in the silence, He speaks.
Even in the grave, He brings forth life.

Join Us

Darkness – A Service of Reflection and Hope

📍 St George’s Church
📅 Sunday 22nd March 2026
⏰ 6.30pm

This will be a quiet and reflective space for anyone who needs encouragement, prayer, or simply a moment to breathe and reflect.

Whether you are carrying grief, struggling with questions, or simply looking for peace, you are welcome.

Because even in the darkest moments, hope is not lost.

And none of us walk alone.

We are very pleased to announce that Ralph Aladese has been appointed as Team Vicar in the Mynydd Bedwellte Ministry Area.

It has been some time since Ralph was first interviewed for this role, and it is a real joy to now see him stepping confidently into this new chapter as he completes his curacy. Over the past few years, many across our churches and communities have already experienced the energy, warmth and wholehearted enthusiasm that Ralph brings to ministry. He has a natural ability to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, and we are thankful for the gifts he offers to God and to us.

Following his appointment, a small service took place in Bishopstowe to ensure that Ralph was formally licensed and able to take up his place properly within the Ministry Area. While that moment was simple and prayerful, we are looking forward to marking this new beginning more publicly and joyfully together.

We will be welcoming Ralph at our Ministry Area Service on:

Sunday 8 March
10.00am
St George’s Church, Tredegar

This will be an opportunity to give thanks for all that Ralph has already done, to offer our congratulations, and to pray for him, JK and their three boys as they continue to serve here in South Wales.

Please do join us as we celebrate this important step in the life of our Ministry Area.