Translation form

Text block 1

This summer, the Diocesan Growth Enablers and some of our clergy have been travelling around the county shows in Llandaff Diocese asking the public what they want and need from their church in their community.First at Bridgend County Show and this week the Vale of Glamorgan Show in Cowbridge.Providing children’s crafts and activities, the Growth Enablers, Angela Clarke, Laura Ames, Debbie Orriss and Joe Engle have been using the fun and friendly atmosphere of the events to engage parents and families in conversations about church.Last year, they asked, “What makes a good vicar?” The top answers from the survey included ‘approachable’ and ‘understand the community’, ‘inclusive’ and ‘welcoming’.This year they asked: “Is there something that the Church should offer, include or is missing?” Some general themes were support with mental health issues, and activities, groups and services for children and young people. One young Mum valued a toddler group that provided a warm welcome and was cheap in these difficult times. Someone else spoke about their shyness and feeling intimidated walking into church in case they would be asked to do a reading or talk to people.Evangelism and Growth Lead, Angela Clarke, said, “It is such a privilege to attend these events and be able to talk to people about church. We can’t assume we know everything so asking the general public what they want/need from a church community is important when striving for growth. The shows we have attended have been a blast and we look forward to next summer.”

Two column block 2

The crafts and activities for children at the Diocesan table included making badges with phrases such as “God Loves Me” and “He is Risen”, writing names on lollipop sticks to make a Noah's Ark scene, making wooden spoon angels and colouring in farm animals that they may spot around the show.

Noah's Ark scene with names on 'planks'

Text block 3

Fr Martyn Davies, East Vale Ministry Area Leader, was one of the clergy helping on the diocesan stand. He said, “It's really important to be where people are at rather than expecting them to come to us. The Vale Show is an ideal example of going to where people are and encountering them. Someone commented that even just the fact that there were a number of clergy there, just walking around the show with the dog collar on was great and it can lead to all sorts of conversations about Church. The children's activities were perfect to bring young families into the tent and it produced a relaxing context for conversations that take place with the parents and grandparents standing there.”