Churches step in to Support Communities Hit by Flooding

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the flooding across the Diocese. Lots of our churches are doing a fabulous job supporting affected communities.

Amongst them Citizen Church in Pontypridd did amazing work out on the street supporting businesses affected by the floods, and St Catherine’s in Pontypridd Ministry Area opened up their cafe space for those needing a hot drink as they clear away the flood water.

In a statment the clergy of Pontypridd Ministry Area said, "It has been tough.

For many, Sunday brought back the trauma of 2020; when Ponty was decimated by the flood storm Dennis brought about.

We offered space in St Catherine’s Church, which was dry and unaffected by water, to small businesses to store stock. Nobody took us up on the offer for space, but none the less, they were grateful for the offer of help.

It was a joint effort with Citizen Church who were also on hand giving sandwiches and helping to clear up. 

We got in touch with parishioners who live close to the river to check on them and thankfully, they were safe. They too had been out helping neighbours with water defence and clean up.

On occasions such as this, it is so important for the church to not only be open to welcome those who are in distress, but to be out there, in the community, being Christ's hands, feet and heart.

Jesus asked us to love our neighbour as ourselves, and that is all we were doing." 

Amber Baker, Curate at Citizen Pontypridd, said, "Lots of people from the community came together and it was a privilege playing our part."

Rhod Green, Archdeacon of Llandaff said, "In the face of heartbreaking scenes of flooded homes and businesses, I have been inspired by the hard work of our local churches out on the streets, wading through flood waters to comfort, care and clean up.

In particular, in my archdeaconry, the ways in which teams from the Pontypridd Ministry Area and Citizen Pontypridd responded to the terrible floods in Pontypridd, as they dropped everything to help and encourage the relief effort, has been an extraordinary example of the church at its best.

They remain in my prayers as the clean up effort continues."