Renewal in Wales
Frances Graham reports from Wales about the Charismatic
Renewal there
Hello ("Bore da") from Wales. It's amazing
to be in Renewal at this exciting time when many of us feel that God
is doing something new. This certainly appears to be true for Wales
where we feel we need to cast out into the deep without any fear as
our God will be with us.
We have had some changes recently on our National Service
Team for CRISP (Charismatic Renewal in the Spirit of Pentecost). We
have a new chairperson, Ruth Massey, who replaces Liz Relf who has stepped
down. We want to thank Liz for all her hard work and commitment for
the Renewal of Wales and for all the previous members of the diocesan
service teams and the national service teams. Adrian Bold is the new
vice-chairman and I'm the press and publicity office. We join Liz, Pam
Cox(secretary), Ron Cliffe (Treasureer) and Pat Williams (Conference
booking secretary)
At present we are busy preparing for our August conference
in Carmarthen, from 19th-23rd August 2002. The theme is "Children,
have you anything to eat?" (John 21.5). We are delighted to welcome
back Frances Hogan, a renowned Scripture expert and frequent visitor
to Wales and also Fr Ambrose Walsh, a very charismatic local speaker.
The Conference will focus on Spiritual nourishment, the Eucharist, Scripture
and prayer. (see coming events page…)
Frances Hogan gave us a very thought-provoking retreat
in Courtfields, Ross on Wye last November and encouraged us to strengthen
our commitment to Christianity, to Renewal and Evangelisation.
Call to Ecumenism and unity
"That they may be one" (John 17.21) seems to
be a recurring theme in our prayer times. It is a call for us all in
the Charismatic Renewal in Wales to work together and strengthen our
links with the movement in England and the rest of Britain so that we
can go forward with a new vision, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide
us and discerning his will in our lives. It is also a call to ecumenism
and unity. This new vision includes a special role for our young people
to become involved, developing their many talents. There are so many
people who are disillusioned with the world's false promises and who
are living lives of quiet desperation. They are hungry for Spiritual
food, for God, for His love and His unfailing promises.
Wales was the centre of a great Spiritual Revival
at the beginning of this century, and we wait with great excitement
for our mighty God to do great things again for our nation. There is
an air of expectation across many Christian denominations in this country
- but are we ready to do whatever he tells us?
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