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ABOUT SAINT CYNWYL'S Aberporth has had a Christian building dedicated to St Cynwyl for over 1400 years. The present one is Victorian, designed in 1854 and completed in 1857. It replaced an old and crumbling Norman style building whose only remnant is the stone font outside the South porch. The churchyard is older than 1857. Perhaps the site was chosen in the 6th Century because it was visible far out at sea. It would have been a good landmark at a time when long distance travel by Christians was by sea. Read the Church In Wales' excellent website about the early Celtic Church and the history of the Church in Wales itself which started in 314 or earlier. St Augustine came from Rome to England to convert Anglo-Saxons almost 3 centuries later. |
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WHO WE ARE
We are Christians belonging to the global Anglican Church. Christianity is unique amongst the faiths because it is about relationships between ourselves and God and between each other in the light of God's love for us.
We believe God was incarnate in Jesus as Christ, in the reality of the Trinity and that the cross stands for Christ's sacrifice for us. It is a reminder that we will be resurrected to be with him. Meanwhile, in the here and now, we follow his teachings to serve and love one another and God and to be happy doing it. We smile and laugh together! (Read more on Fellowship.)
We also say the Nicene Creed together each Sunday in which we say we believe in a holy catholic and apostolic church.
CATHOLIC & APOSTOLIC
The Oxford English dictionary defines catholic as a universal and inclusive church. This is why we try to keep St Cynwyl's open daily and why everyone is always welcome at all times, at all services and at all parish activities. Everyone is invited to take the bread and wine with us at our altar table and to participate in our Eucharists / Masses / Communions and in our fellowship together. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed. All offerings to our life in Christ are valued and accepted with gratitude and pleasure.
Apostolic means we are guided by our Bishops who are the successors of the Apostles. St Cynwyl's, like all Anglican church buildings in Wales, is owned by the Representative Body of the Church In Wales on behalf of our Archbishop. He guides us in our worship and in promoting the whole mission of the Church in Wales and here in Aberporth. He wants us to practice 'faith through fellowship'. The Bishop of Sr David's Diocese appoints our Priest.
MANAGEMENT (Ref: Church In Wales', "Parochial Administration".)
St Cynwyl's is managed by the Aberporth Parochial Church Council (PCC) whose main aim is...
To promote the whole mission of the Church In Wales, be it pastoral, social, evengelical or ecumenical.
Around Easter each year a Vestry Meeting (alias AGM) of the Parish's electors is held chaired by the Rector. The electors are parish communicants who have registered their names with the Parish Secretary. Blank registration forms are available inside St Cynwyl's.
The Vestry Meeting hears annual reports from the Rector & the Treasurer. After it hears who the Rector is appointing as his/her Churchwarden for the coming year, it then elects the People's Churchwarden and the Parochial Church Councillors for that same year. There are 12 Councillors and each year four resign and elections are held for the four vacancies. Those resigning can offer themselves again. The two Churchwardens are PCC members ex officio.
Immediately the Vestry Meeting closes the new PCC elects its Secretary and Treasurer. At its next meeting it appoints its Health & Safety and Child Protection Officers who may be co-opted if not PCC members.
The PCC is also the trustee of the Parish's ecclesiastical charity fund. (See 'Giving'.)
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CHURCH OFFICERS' DUTIES The Churchwardens answer to the Bishop for keeping St Cynwyl's fabric and congregation in good order. They co-operate with the Rector, lead the people cheerfully and advise the Rector of the people's views. The officers below answer to the PCC. The Secretary keeps the electoral roll, ensures everything accords with the Constitution of the Church In Wales, records minutes of meetings and co-ordinates activities. The Treasurer collects monies, pays bills, runs the account, keeps the Gift Register and claims tax refunds. The Health & Safety Officer keeps an eye on risks and advises on compliance with H&S law. The Child Protection
Officer ensures all children's activities comply with the
Child Protection Act. |
OTHERS' DUTIES The Sacristan is the Rector's officer who prepares the Altar and Sanctuary for worship, sometimes helps in worship, keeps the churchyard records and manages the lectionary. The Altar Guild maintains the Altar cloths and linen and dresses the Altar in season with the Christian year or as requested by the Rector. The Servers Guild serves the communion wine. ROSTERS
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