Discovering the joy of rural ministry

When ordinands from St Padarn's Institute headed to Machynlleth and Aberystwyth for Mission Week, they saw first hand how varied and fulfilling rural ministry can be.

The trainee priests threw themselves into everything from creative prayer spaces and school visits to care home sing-alongs and farmhouse pastoral visits. What they discovered was a ministry that was both demanding and deeply rewarding.

In Machynlleth, Ministry Area Leader Miriam Beecroft led a team of ordinands in a week of pioneer ministry.

Ordinands quickly learned that rural ministry extends far beyond the church building. One day they were setting up creative prayer spaces in St Peter's Machynlleth, the next they were trudging through mud to visit isolated farmhouses. They hosted primary school classes, sang with care home residents and pastoral conversations at the local market to find out more about their needs.

The experience showed them that rural ministry provides everyday opportunities to share the gospel message, whether at the school gate, the market stall or the farm kitchen.