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Diocese

‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Lent

Lent is the six-week period leading up to Easter. It is a particular time to confess sin and to seek personal and collective renewal (a ‘springtime of the spirit’). Lent has a special focus on Jesus’s journey to the cross and prepares the Church to celebrate his resurrection.

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Home News and Blogs Journeys of Faith: Hannah Seal

Journeys of Faith: Hannah Seal

Blog Posted: 18 March 2025

Throughout Lent we'll be hearing stories of faith from across the Diocese. This week we hear from Hannah Seal, CA, Lead Evangelist at Llandaff Centre of Mission who's taking us on a bear hunt...

“We’re going on a bear hunt.

We’re going to catch a big one.

What a beautiful day!

We’re not scared.”

First published in 1989 “We’re going on a bear hunt” is a story enjoyed by thousands of children and adults alike. Five children and their dog decide to go and hunt for a bear, and on their journey, they encounter all sorts of obstacles, from swishy long grass to squelchy mud, from a forest to a river and even battle a snowstorm. Each time they face an obstacle they declare:

“We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it. Oh no! We’ve got to go through it!”

For me, following Jesus has not always been easy. There have been challenges which have seemed dauting and scary as I’ve listened to Him and followed his call on my life. Things like moving house (too many times!), changing job and starting again in a new place where I don’t know anyone. Challenges like the pain of grief, facing redundancy and unemployment, ill-health and uncertainty.

They’ve all been things that I’ve had to say “I cant go over or under or round it, I just have to go through it.” But I’ve been able to “go through” them because I know that I don’t face on my own, I face them with Jesus at my side, encouraging me and giving me the strength to face whatever is before me. I don’t go through it alone as there are always people around me, whether near or far, who are encouraging me, are praying for me and whom I am sharing the journey with.

At the end of the story, when the children discover the bear in the cave they’re scared and go running back to the safety of the bad in their house, declaring that they won’t ever hunt a bear again. One of the joys and comforts of a life with Jesus is that when I am scared, when I feel out of my depth, I can go to the safety of Jesus who says

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28).

I can rest with him, I can find courage and healing and renewal which allows me to go back out on the journey, to take the next step and to hunt for a bear again.