Ship of Fools: Affirming churches in Caerphilly?

Thread: Affirming churches in Caerphilly? Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

An non-churchgoing friend is interested in exploring Christianity a bit more, but is worried about churches not being affirming/being too conservative for her. Now I am under the impression that the CiW is generally on the AffCath side, but wanted some confirmation of that. She needs a church in the Blackwood/Hengoed area, accessible by foot/bike/public transport. Churches being high or low don't matter as much as affirming-ness.

Posted by Gamaliel (# 812) on :

Where's Abervicar when we need him? He's in Abertillery.

I know Caerphilly but am not familiar with the churches there. I grew up a Valley or two to the east.

By and large, and this is a generalisation, most Church in Wales churches in that area would be fairly middle-of-the-road but would appear 'high' if you're from a nonconformist background.

'Find a Church' website would be your best bet.

What do you mean by 'affirming' in this context?

My impression of Welsh Anglicanism in general is that it isn't particular Forward-in-Faith-ish and would be probably more towards the 'Affirming' end of things but the mileage would vary. There are also evangelical Anglican parishes in South Wales too, it's by no means a monolithic scene.

Posted by Gamaliel (# 812) on :

Here is what the Anglicans in Caerphilly look like.

I notice it refers to 'Holy Eucharist (Mass)' so that might give us a clue as to the churchmanship.

http://www.parishofcaerphilly.org.uk/

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :

I see the parish has a female curate so if accepting OOW is "affirming", that's positive. If affirming is what we Yanks call "inclusive" ie welcoming to the LGBT, I dunno.

Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Gamaliel:
Where's Abervicar when we need him? He's in Abertillery.

I know Caerphilly but am not familiar with the churches there. I grew up a Valley or two to the east.

By and large, and this is a generalisation, most Church in Wales churches in that area would be fairly middle-of-the-road but would appear 'high' if you're from a nonconformist background.

'Find a Church' website would be your best bet.

What do you mean by 'affirming' in this context?

My impression of Welsh Anglicanism in general is that it isn't particular Forward-in-Faith-ish and would be probably more towards the 'Affirming' end of things but the mileage would vary. There are also evangelical Anglican parishes in South Wales too, it's by no means a monolithic scene.

Sorry, affirming as in LGBT friendly. And have tried the find a church website but it's not very helpful for Wales.

I think she said that St Margaret's Blackwood was nearest to her?

Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

And sorry, my knowledge of Wales isn't good enough to know if Caerphilly is an area as well as a town!

Posted by seasick (# 48) on :

Caerphilly is county as well as a town. Blackwood is near Caerphilly (town) but a place in its own right. The Caerphilly parish is probably too far if she needs walking/cycling/bus. I've been to St Martin's Caerphilly and Wesley Caerphilly is in the circuit I serve in so I have preached and presided there. St Martin's is fairly middle of the road - I've no idea where they are on LGBT inclusion. Wesley is a fairly traditional Methodist Church - five hymn sandwich, music with the organ. The minister is a member of Progressive Christianity Network and her theology is fairly liberal but I don't know where the church as a whole is on LGBT inclusion. Unfortunately, I don't know the churches in the Blackwood/Hengoed area at all (but I can recommend cycling over the Hengoed viaduct - lovely views!)

Posted by Carys (# 78) on :

From the people I know, I'd avoid Abertridwr but Caerphilly is safe. I need to message my friend in that part of the world, so I'll ask for advice.

A church near you only deals with CofE. Unfortunately.
Carys

[ 15. March 2014, 22:40: Message edited by: Carys ]

Posted by Jade Constable (# 17175) on :

Thank you Carys. Yes, the CiW website is very unhelpful! I looked at the St Michael's college website out of interest and that's also not the most helpful.

Posted by Gamaliel (# 812) on :

I know the curate in Caerphilly. I think your friend would be fine there. I know Blackwood but not the churches there. I can try to find out.

Posted by God Explorer (# 18078) on :

Hi - new to this website but can confirm that the Wesleyan church in Caerphilly has a lovely minister, the Rev Sue who is 101% affirming. I'm a convalescent fundamentalist and I spent a lovely couple of weeks in attendance at this church until I found another church more local to my home in Llanbradach.

I just want to say that although I can't vouch for other churches in the Caerphilly, I would be honoured to share a pew with your friend.

God bless...
The non-conformist Nonconformist

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :

If your friend is in Hengoed then they're in the parish of Gelligaer - St Anne's in Cefn Hengoed is part of the benefice but the Rector is based at St Catwg's.

If on the other hand they're nearer Blackwood you want the parish of Mynyddislwyn - which has five churches but I'm guessing that St David's Oakdale would be the nearest.

My spy in the pew (OK, occasional visiting worshipper) tells me it doesn't aspire to the sometime heights of St Saviour's, Roath, but the welcome if friendly and genuine.

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

St. Martin's, Caerphilly just gives you a lovely welcome, whoever you are. I go there about once a month, because it is where Garfield now lives and worships. It doesn't come over as high at all, despite wording on the website. They are particularly welcoming towards children.

Posted by Baptist Trainfan (# 15128) on :

Very disappointing: I was intrigued by the title of this thread, which I read as "Affirming chickens in Caerphilly". Sadly it's not ...

Posted by Oscar the Grouch (# 1916) on :

I know nothing about Caerphilly Parish. But having looked at their website, I find it amazing that the only way I could discover when the Sunday services were held was by downloading the weekly news sheet. There doesn't appear to be anything on the website itself - not even under "Regular Church Events".

Posted by Rev per Minute (# 69) on :

The priest-in-charge of Blackwood is a very welcoming guy but I don't know where he or his congregation stand on LGBT-affirmation. I've found Valleys churches to all be different - don't expect them all to be traditional in views and practice. Mind you, going a mile or two in any valley takes you to a different country according to the inhabitants, so such differences are to be expected!

Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :

Only just spotted this thread - as Gamaliel says, there is a female NSM at St. Martin's, Caerphilly - she is a mutual friend.The vicar there is our area dean. On the whole, Llandaff diocese is quite high, and we found Caerphilly very high when we went there for our friend's "first mass" - our parish is definitely low down the candle, and I'm afraid there was no way I was going to kiss her hands after recieving communion from her, no matter what her vicar said about it being customary after a priest's first communion!.
If your friend is at Hengoed, there is a good train service up and down the valley and a train station next to Hengoed Viaduct. I can't comment about the "inclusiveness" of local congregations though. There's a lively church at Pengam (Ebeneser Baptist) and several house churches in the area. The parish church woukd probably be Ystrad Mynach, one stop further down the train line, about a mile, mile and a half. It's pretty high.

Posted by Lord Pontivillian (# 14308) on :

quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:

If on the other hand they're nearer Blackwood you want the parish of Mynyddislwyn - which has five churches but I'm guessing that St David's Oakdale would be the nearest.

If they live on the west side of the Sirhowy valley they will be in Fleur de Lis parish

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[ 29. May 2014, 22:36: Message edited by: seasick ]

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