Message from our minister, Clare

Annwyl ffrindiau/Dear friends

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026! 2026 will mark an impressive 200 years since the Pont Grog y Borth or Menai Straits Bridge was opened, 150 years since the first telephone call, 100 years since David Attenborough was born and 50 years since Concorde made its first supersonic commercial flight. Operation Menai Bridge is reputedly the codename given to the plans preparing for the death and funeral of King Charles III – in the TV programme ‘The Crown’ it was suggested that the names of bridges were used in relation to key Royal Family members to keep the plans as covert as possible and to represent the crossing over from this world into the next.

Crossings of any kind can bring sadness for what is left behind but also excitement surrounding what lies ahead. I imagine across our church there are a whole range of emotions around entering a new year. The wonderful reassurance of a faith in God is the sense that everything is held by God, nothing is beyond God. And so, as we move into 2026 may we have both a sense of that comfort and challenge, the comfort of God’s presence and the challenge of living our lives as we are called to do.

Speaking personally, our family will be making a big crossing of its own as we move to Pontypridd in July. I’m looking forward to being more present, to spending the summer with you and exploring some of hills and landscape in our spare time. Any tips gratefully received!

I want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a happy and healthy 2026, I’m excited to walk with you and to explore where we feel God might be leading us as individuals and as a church community.

Pob bendith/Blessings

Clare

*Please note that Clare is on holiday from Monday 29th December -Sunday 4th January. She starts her stint with Bethany on Monday 5th January.*

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