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Owing to the on-going Covid-19 pandemic we are producing a weekly bulletin of guidance and resources. Please be sure to visit the Church in Wales' regularly-updated advice section for the latest guidelines.
The diocese's information page, including contact details for diocesan staff, is available here

If you have any problems using any of the links in this newsletter, contact the Diocesan Centre who will email them to you directly.If you have an item you would like included in the bulletin email eryljones@churchinwales.org.uk 
Please include the word bulletin in your email header.
You can help Faith in Families when you shop at Amazon by using Amazon Smile. Go to smile.amazon.co.uk and use the same account name and details as you would for amazon.co.uk. Select Faith in Families - which is listed as Swansea And Brecon Diocesan Board For Social Responsibility - and it’ll get a percentage of the purchase price of all eligible items.  
Archbishop John's Ascension Day service

Archbishop John presided over a live-streamed Ascension Day service from Brecon Cathedral. You can watch it here.

Farming charity needs volunteers

Tir Dewi, a charity operating across Powys which offers support for farmers who are experiencing difficulties, is looking for volunteers.

The charity was formed in St Davids Diocese in response to a growing and serious need for someone to help the farmers of West Wales in difficult times but has now been extended.

Tir Dewi said: "You don’t need any special skills, but ideally you will have a background in farming and an understanding and empathy towards farmers facing difficulties.

"Applicants should have good listening skills, be patient, friendly and non-judgmental. Car drivers are an asset but not essential."

Tasks will include:

  • Providing a listening ear to farmers and support them to understand and unravel their problems
  • Working with farmers and potentially other partners to identify solutions that may help them to cope
  • Answering its freephone helpline and support service
  • Raising the profile of Tir Dewi through presence at events where farmers are likely to be eg livestock markets, shows, YFC, unions
  • Raising the profile of Tir Dewi through social media

All volunteers will be required to complete a membership application form, supply two references and have a DBS check.

Tir Dewi will offer ongoing relevant training.and will:

  • Arrange a placement with ongoing support
  • Reimburse travel expenses
  • Keep in touch through newsletters, meetings and social events

To find out more contact anne@tirdewi.co.uk or telephone: 07483 418673. A registration form can be downloaded here.

Virtual fun for half term

Following the success of the Noah’s Ark Virtual Cathedral Chaos event, there will be another virtual event during half term, exploring the story of Jonah and the Whale.  Follow the @cyfgreaterbrecon Facebook page to get involved on Thursday 28th May.  Activities, music and more will be on offer.

For the attention of treasurers and Gift Aid representatives

ACAT's May Newsletter is now available to view and print from the ACAT website. Alternatively, a PDF version of the newsletter can be viewed here.

If you have trouble with either link, or you are unsure of the membership login details, email us at the Diocesan Centre and we will send you the relevant information by reply.

This month's update includes ACAT's partnership with fundraising website easyfundraising to make fundraising easier and getting to grips with the way financial statements are reported.

Covid-19 and charity fraud: how to stay safe
 

The Fraud Advisory Panel and the Charity Commission for England and Wales have produced a free webinar on COVID-19 and charity fraud.

This webinar highlights some of the common ways that charities may be affected by fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide some simple prevention tips.

Eco Church update

A Rocha is closing the Eco Church scheme to new registration and award applications for six weeks because, sadly with Covid-19 hitting their finances, they are having to furlough more staff. 

If you've already registered you can still log on to work on your survey - or if you want to look at the scheme that's possible - but please don't send enquiries to the site for the moment. Do remember them in prayer at this difficult time.

Gill Knight, diocesan Eco Church working group chair
Christmas Challenge 2020

Applications for Christmas Challenge 2020 are now open.

The Christmas Challenge is the UK's biggest online match funding campaign. It launches on Giving Tuesday (this year that's 1st December) and brings together hundreds of charities in one high-profile campaign to raise millions of pounds for charity.

The Christmas Challenge gives your donors the chance to double their donations as you raise vital funds for your work. This year it will run from midday Tuesday 1st December to midday Tuesday 8th December. See what last year's participants had to say about their experiences of the Christmas Challenge.

To apply for Christmas Challenge 2020:

1. Log in or sign up for Big Give account
2. Click on Big Give Campaigns
3. Click on Apply now for Christmas Challenge 2020

Deadline for the stage 1 application is 5pm Friday 3rd July. The deadline to collect the pledges is 5pm Friday 28th August. Remember you can start collecting your pledges as soon as you have submitted your stage 1 application, so the sooner that is submitted, the more time you have to collect the pledges.
Online induction for Theology for Life

St Padarn's will be holding an online induction seminar for its Theology for Life course next month.

It will take place on June 6 and if you would like to join in, or to find out more, email Helen.rees2@stpadarns.ac.uk
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. Click here to find out more.
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diocese.swanbrec@churchinwales.org.uk

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Swansea & Brecon Diocesan Board of Finance · Swansea & Brecon Diocesan Centre · Cathedral Close · Brecon, Powys LD3 9DP · United Kingdom

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