Archbishop John will lead short act of worship with a reflection every Thursday evening at 6.30pm.

You can watch the broadcasts on Brecon Cathedral’s Facebook page.

Join in the fun with online Noah-themed Cathedral Chaos

There'll be a free quiz, craft ideas, stories, music, videos, games and more at tomorrow's online Cathedral Chaos (May 2).

Last year more than 200 people of all ages attended Brecon Cathedral for the showcase event, but this this year the format has changed due to Covid-19.

Clare Morgan, Children, Youth and Families Officer for Greater Brecon, said: "We won’t be transforming the cathedral with a bouncy castle and live animals as planned but we will be continuing with our theme of Noah and hope.

"Join us on Facebook for a virtual experience where you can dive with dolphins, quiz your household, sing, listen to stories and choose activities on the theme. There will be posts going live throughout the day. It’s virtual and free."

You can join in the fun here.

Cymuned Bach

Sunday schools, tots groups and Messy Church sessions may have been cancelled but our Children, Youth and Families officers have been busy putting together some resources to keep children entertained.

You can visit the page here.

Building a vibrant virtual Christian Aid Week

In the space of just a few months, the coronavirus pandemic has caused a seismic shift in society.

The outbreak has affected all spheres of life. It has brought suffering and uncertainty for so many, both here and overseas, taking centre stage in thoughts, conversations and prayers.

As individuals, families, communities and organisations, the crisis continues to have a significant impact on how we go about our daily business. We have all had to adapt to new ways of living.

In these challenging times many churches have already made bold steps, streaming services online and harnessing technology and social media to reach out to communities.

In the same way, Christian Aid has also been thinking creatively how best to ensure it can continue standing together with the most vulnerable and marginalised people during this time of global crisis. This is particularly important as Christian Aid Week 2020 approaches.

This year, many Christian Aid supporters will have already dedicated a significant amount of their time and energy planning these initiatives. Not surprisingly, the Covid-19 situation has meant that much of this usual fundraising cannot go ahead for Christian Aid Week 2020 (10-16 May) but will shift to the autumn.

However, for May the charity is building a vibrant, virtual Christian Aid Week to help people in Wales show love for neighbours near and far, as a global family, in these challenging times.

Christian Aid has developed a suite of creative new ideas, guides and resources, to inspire people to fundraise and connect with their community, creatively and virtually, while respecting social distancing measures.

The resources include guides to help people run their own virtual event or fundraiser, organise a virtual quiz evening, and even hold a virtual church service using a range of specially prepared worship resources.

Individuals will be able to sign up for unique events during Christian Aid Week itself from 10-16 May, such as a daily quiz and live stream worship events. Christian Aid will also be offering an ‘e-envelope’, offering a digital way for people to share the Christian Aid Week story with family and friends, and ask for a donation.

In this way Christian Aid hopes that its dedicated supporters will be able to continue their support, prayer, engagement and fundraising.

Cynan Llwyd, temporary Head of Christian Aid Wales said: “In recent weeks, we have been overwhelmed by the messages of solidarity we’ve received for our sisters and brothers overseas, and also by messages of support from our fundraising community, looking for guidance on how they can support us this Christian Aid Week.

“I very much hope that you feel empowered and supported to join us in celebration of Christian Aid Week this year, and that some of the virtual ideas on offer can strengthen individuals and communities as we pray for all those affected by this new virus.

“Love never fails. Coronavirus impacts all of us. But love unites us all. Its during crises like Covid-19 that the vulnerabilities of those living in extreme poverty are even more evident. This Christian Aid Week we can fight against Coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty.”

Please keep an eye on https://www.christianaid.org.uk/about-us/christian-aid-week/coronavirus-guidance for up-to-the minute information and resources as they launch.

500 churches and chapels to be featured on explorechurches.org

The Experiencing Sacred Wales project is designed to shine a spotlight on Welsh sacred heritage; helping boost the profile of historic places of worship through an innovative mix of grassroots training, high profile PR and marketing and the creation of bookable Experience.

Led by the National Churches Trust, the project will help sustain historic places of worship by ensuring they are appreciated, valued, and (when possible) visited, as well as developing an income stream from tourism. The project is Welsh Government funded and continues this year, finding new ways to support historic places of worship during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Churches and chapels may be closed at present but a key way the National Churches Trust can continue to support you is to ensure your place of worship is listed on its church tourism hub: www.explorechurches.org

A National Churches Trust spokesperson said: "You are the experts in your church. You know the stories that make it special, the fascinating facts about your place of worship, the reasons why visitors should come (virtually at the moment). If you’ve got time on your hands, we’d love your help.

"We need around 350 words showcasing your church or chapel; highlighting all the things visitors would enjoy. Think about its age – when was it founded? Was there an earlier church on the spot? Is part of it older than the rest? How can you tell? Are there interesting stories about the saintly dedication? And then the architecture – what is the most beautiful thing about your church? What should visitors make sure they see? Does it have connections with any notable people? Or myths and legends? Is there a holy well, or standing stone nearby? What do visitors need to know to understand and appreciate your church? Visitors always gravitate towards stories involving people – whether that’s stained glass, monuments, or people connected with your place of worship. What makes your church special? Churches are living breathing buildings and that is all part of their appeal to visitors. We also need to collect contact details and visitor information, and details of any website or social media pages you have – making it easier than ever for people to enjoy your church."

Add your church using the online form here https://www.explorechurches.org/add-your-church or send in the information on the attached pdf to caroline.welch@nationalchurchestrust.org and help us put Welsh churches and chapels on the virtual tourist map.

"The National Churches Trust also prepares regular themed lists and story pages featuring places of worship, so if you are listed on explorechurches.org we can include you in these too.

"When we reopen our doors we can make sure visitors have all the information they need to enjoy and to visit."

Gift Direct

Gift Direct is the way that the Church in Wales manages Gift Aid donations. Gift Aid is a UK tax incentive that enables tax-effective giving by individuals to charities in the United Kingdom. Setting up a Gift Direct payment is a way that you can directly help the work of the Church at a local or national level.

With Gift Direct:

• You, the giver are always in control
• Managing donations is easier for you and your church
• There’s no last-minute scrambles for spare change or a cheque book
• Churches get a regular monthly amount which helps planning
• If you are tax payer, Gift Aid can be claimed – increasing the value of your donation.

You can find out more about how to support our work here.