In conversation with St Padarn’s

St Padarn’s is launching a new series of engaging talks taking place at various locations across Wales this year.

Each session will run for approximately 90 minutes and will include time for discussion and reflection. Light refreshments will be provided at each session.

The full schedule of talks is available below.

Thursday 15 May 2025, 7-8.30pm at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff.

This talk will deal with questions like: What is the purpose of prayer? Is God influenced by our prayers? If God already knows what we need what is the point of asking?

• Revd Dr Jordan Hillebert is originally from the States. He moved to Scotland to pursue a PhD in theology at the University of St Andrews and in 2015 took up the post of Tutor in Theology at St Michael’s College before joining the team at St Padarn’s. From 2016-2019, he also served as Assistant Curate at Christ Church Roath Park. He is currently Director of Formation at St Padarn’s and teaches in the areas of Christian theology and ethics.
• Dr Charlie Hadjiev is originally from Bulgaria. He was involved for a number of years in university mission both in Bulgaria and across Europe, as well as various forms of Church ministry. He completed his DPhil in Hebrew Bible at Oxford in 2008 and has lectured in Biblical studies in Bulgaria, Northern Ireland, and Belgium, before joining St Padarn’s in 2023. He is currently the Old Testament editor for the Bulgarian Bible Society’s project to revise its existing translation of the Bible into contemporary Bulgarian. At St Padarn’s, Charlie is the Director of the MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission and tutor in Old Testament.

Tuesday 24 June 2025, 7-8.30pm at St Michael’s Church, Aberystwyth.

This talk will deal with questions like: How do the Psalms teach us to pray? What is the place of grief and joy in prayer? What do the Psalms teach us about God, the person of Christ, and being human?

• Revd Dr Alun Evans is originally from Pembroke Dock in South Pembrokeshire. He studied history and mathematics and worked as a primary school teacher in Pembrokeshire. After his ordination in 2016, he served in a range of parishes in St Davids Diocese, as well as gaining experience of chaplaincy ministry. He completed his PhD in cultural hermeneutics, focusing on Song of Songs, with Cardiff University. During his time at theological college, he got to know wife, Becky, who is also an ordained minister in the Church in Wales. Alun is currently tutor in Mission at St Padarn’s Institute.
• Dr Charlie Hadjiev is originally from Bulgaria. He was involved for a number of years in university mission both in Bulgaria and across Europe, as well as various forms of Church ministry. He completed his DPhil in Hebrew Bible at Oxford in 2008 and has lectured in Biblical studies in Bulgaria, Northern Ireland, and Belgium, before joining St Padarn’s in 2023. He is currently the Old Testament editor for the Bulgarian Bible Society’s project to revise its existing translation of the Bible into contemporary Bulgarian. At St Padarn’s, Charlie is the Director of the MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission and tutor in Old Testament.

Wednesday 16 July 2025, 7.30-9pm at St Paul’s Church Hall, Llandudno.

This talk will deal with questions like: What is the spiritual value of cultural diversity? How does our national identity relate to our identity as believers and followers of Jesus? How does culture shape faith? And what is the link between culture and religion?

• Canon Dr Manon Ceridwen James was born in Glanaman, Carmarthenshire and brought up in Nefyn (on the Llŷn peninsula). She was ordained deacon in 1994 in Bangor Cathedral and priested in 1997. She has been involved with training for ministry in the Church in Wales since 2005, and taught practical theology, leading worship, preaching and adult education during that time. She has had roles within ministerial and discipleship training, IME Officer, Director of Ordinands and Director of Ministry and is currently the Dean for Initial Ministerial Training at St Padarn’s Institute. Her PhD (Birmingham University) was published as Women, Identity and Religion in Wales: theology, poetry, story University of Wales Press in 2018.
• Dr Charlie Hadjiev is originally from Bulgaria. He was involved for a number of years in university mission both in Bulgaria and across Europe, as well as various forms of Church ministry. He completed his DPhil in Hebrew Bible at Oxford in 2008 and has lectured in Biblical studies in Bulgaria, Northern Ireland, and Belgium, before joining St Padarn’s in 2023. He is currently the Old Testament editor for the Bulgarian Bible Society’s project to revise its existing translation of the Bible into contemporary Bulgarian. At St Padarn’s, Charlie is the Director of the MA in Theology, Ministry and Mission and tutor in Old Testament.

For more information on these talks please contact: tina.franklin@stpadarns.ac.uk.