Abbey celebrates role of women in church life

Margam Abbey is launching a month-long series of events on International Women’s Day (IWD) to celebrate the often hidden role women play in shaping the life of the local church.

The events, which take place throughout March, aim to highlight the contributions and achievements of local women in theology, music and church life. With a diverse line-up of events, including talks, music, poetry and liturgical services, Celebrating Women aims to provide an engaging and thought-provoking experience for all who attend.

THESE WOMEN ARE PIONEERS WHO ARE DRIVEN BY THEIR FAITH.

International Women’s Day is both a celebration and continuous call to action for women across the world, says the Revd Ruth Greenaway-Robbins, curate at Margam Abbey. “Our Celebrating Women season is testament to a growing recognition of the important – and often hidden – role that women have played and continue to play in our local churches. These women are pioneers who are driven by their faith to show the good work churches can play in the local community."

Ruth passionately believes that the church is called to be at the heart social justice and action. “For us at Margam Abbey it important both to celebrate and make an invitation to action regarding equity for women in Wales, the UK. and the world. By hosting these events we will continue to promote the work that women do in the church, society, and across Wales, such as the great benefactors of Margam Abbey and Port Talbot Emily Charlotte Talbot.”

Celebrating Women is also hosting a unique service which will celebrate the sacred and meaningful way that women connect with their bodies. During her time at theological college, Ruth recognised how few liturgies honour the unique physical experiences that women go through, from menstruation to childbirth to menopause. Ruth wrote her dissertation about liturgy and ritual around Women’s Bodily Experience in Wales, and as part of it, created a service that women can use.

Ruth says, “The service I have created is to meet the needs and experience of modern women today, addressing both the joys and difficulties that women in have in their bodily experience.

“The Liturgy of Women’s Bodily Experiences service will be an opportunity to hear about my research and experience the service in the historic setting of Margam Abbey.

“All are welcome to come to our Celebrating Women season whoever you are whatever you believe.”

Margam Abbey, located in a small village just outside Port Talbot, is undergoing a revitalization following the appointment of Ruth and her husband Rev'd Mark Greenaway-Robbins in April last year. Ruth and Mark are creating a new identity for the Abbey, one that will ensure it has a vibrant and sustainable future. The revitalisation plan will focus Margam Abbey as a place of worship while growing its identity as a Welsh Anglican heritage centre and a place of learning and spiritual enrichment.

CONCERT

• Wednesday 8th March 7pm – An Evening of Music and Poetry with Cwfen Choir for IWD.

TALKS

• Thursday 9th March 7pm – “I’ve got no one and nothing, not even my own teeth.” Revd. Helen Thake, retired prison chaplain, reflects on life in a women’s prison.
• Tuesday 14 March 7pm – “Literature is where Welsh women have done their theology.” With Juliet Larson.
• Tuesday 21 March 7pm – Emily Charlotte Talbot: The Making of Port Talbot with Bev Gulley.

MOTHERING SUNDAY

• Saturday 18 March 10am-1pm – Card making for Mother’s Day in the Parish Hall.
• Saturday 18 March 5pm – A short service for those who find Mother’s Day difficult.
• Sunday 19 March – Mothering Sunday Services 8am and 11am.

SPECIAL SERVICES

• Thursday 23 March 7pm – A Liturgy for Women’s Bodily Experiences
• Saturday 25 March 12pm – Mass for the Annunciation.

The Abbey of Margam, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, dates from the second half of the twelfth century. No documentary evidence relating to Margam exists prior to the arrival of the Normans, but the presence of numerous carved and inscribed monuments, now housed at the Stones Museum, indicates an earlier Christian presence. The abbey is believed to have been built on or near the site of an important Celtic monastic house.

Open daily between 10.30 am and 3.30 pm (1st of April until the 1st of October), and weekends during the winter period plus Half-Term dates.

Follow Margam Abbey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Margam Abbey
Margam
Port Talbot
SA13 2TA