Renewal and Hope in Carmarthen: General Assembly 2023

THE Presbyterian Church of Wales (PCW) is holding its annual General Assembly in Carmarthen, from Monday 10 July until Wednesday 12 July.

Despite a backdrop of steep church decline within Wales’ historic denominations, PCW is upbeat about the future. Rev. Nan Powell Davies, General Secretary of PCW said:

‘This year’s event will be dominated by a sense of renewal. These are deeply challenging times for Christianity in Wales, but the PCW is investing in the future as well as celebrating our past.’

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In addition to receiving reports from the church’s department, this year’s General Assembly will focus on six key issues:

Communication: sharing stories of hope and renewal with churches, the wider public and the media.
PCW’s relationship with the Presbyterian Church of India. Delegates from Mizoram will be present at the conference.
Pioneering: Fourteen community posts have been created throughout Wales, practically expressing Christian love, hope and justice in rural and urban areas. These new posts will kickstart new initiatives across the nation, connecting local churches with their communities.
Future of our Children and Youth work: This will include updates about Coleg y Bala.
Buildings: harnessing the power of the hundreds of PCW’s chapels and buildings to communicate the message of Jesus to this generation. This will include an update on the historic Coleg Trefeca.
Membership: supporting local churches where there is decline, and preparing for growth.

A number of lectures featuring guest speakers will take place during the General Assembly.

Monday: Rev Dr Robert Cunville from the Presbyterian Church of India will speak about the need for mission, and how Christianity is thriving in India and Asia.
Tuesday: Rev Huw Powell Davies will deliver the Davies lecture, offering his observations on Welsh missionary activity in India.
Wednesday: Rev Phillip Eveson will speak on The 1823 Confession of Faith – a forgotten classic’. Celebrating 200 years of the Presbyterian Church of Wales’ Confession of Faith.
Rev Nan Powell Davies said:

‘We are realistic of the challenges ahead, but we are deeply hopeful. Our confession of faith has shaped our life and practice for 200 years and we believe that the Holy Spirit is renewing us with gifts of joy and imagination as we journey into an unchartered future.’