Increase In Spirituality In Wales Inspires Church Docuseries
Hope Cymru aims to tell the story of Jesus through the lens of the past, present and future of Church life in Wales at a time of growing spiritual curiosity among Generation Z in the UK.
The multimedia project by St Mark's Evangelical Anglican Church, Cardiff, pivots around a docuseries which explores different elements of faith in Christ through history. The series, to be released this October, is made up of interviews with faith leaders will be an exciting debut of clergy, Professors, and Diocesan leadership covering a wide range of topics relating to faith in the modern world.
A 2022 article by The Press and Journal said, “Evidence suggests children and young people are reversing decades of decline in spirituality. Increased access to online services, plus a longing for meaning in uncertain times, has led to greater numbers of young people seeking solace in the church. With Covid restrictions bringing our lives to a crashing halt, many people have for the first time been given the time and space to ponder life’s bigger questions. According to Google Trends data, for every 80,000 new Covid diagnoses, Google searches for the word ‘prayer’ double.”
Hope Cymru founder and vicar of St Mark’s Church, Rev’d Marcus Nelson, said, “Hope Cymru reconnects Wales with the greatest story ever told. We hope the project will restore churches’ confidence in the influence and importance of faith in Wales and go beyond the films into encouraging people to explore their connection with the deep spirituality of this country.”
The docuseries will be launched at the Hope Cymru event on 21st October at 2pm in Llandaff Cathedral where the project will demonstrate the influence of Jesus throughout the history of Wales, its present and its future with three musical performances.
The Pendyrus Male Voice Choir will represent the heritage of Wales followed by the Tamil Fellowship symbolizing the multiculturalism of modern faith in Wales. The Hope Cymru Kids Choir has been established specifically for the event and is being orchestrated by Julia Plautt from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The children will complete the three-choir set as a representation of the future of faith in Wales.
The Archbishop of Wales will open the launch with his prayer and blessing for the project. The Bishop of Llandaff and the Lord Mayor Bablin Molik will be in attendance.
Rev’d Marcus said, “Hope Cymru is very much from Wales for Wales. The English/Welsh bilingual films look exclusively at the journey the Church and faith in Jesus has taken in Wales throughout history, where it is now and its future. It has been fascinating exploring the unique nature of faith in this country and we are so looking forward to sharing it with everyone, Christian or not.”