St Padarn's students join Swansea churches for mission week

St Padarn's students are joining city churches this week for "Experiencing God", a series of services and events across the city.

The trainee clergy joined local churches for the "Experiencing God" programme, that ran until Sunday, 5 July, and included an art exhibition at St James' Church, a beach barbecue and Compline, a service of contemplative worship at St Paul's, Sketty, and an outdoor gathering at Port Eynon on the Gower coast.

Alun Evans, tutor of mission at St Padarn's Institute, said the week is designed as much for learning as for outreach. "The ordinands are going to be working with local churches, and there's lots and lots of different activities happening around Swansea," he said. "It's there for an encouragement, and it's there as a learning exercise."

Student Janice Vardon said, "We joined with the Minster, and we worked in the breakfast club yesterday morning that I found to be incredible. I felt such joy at just the prospect of serving, of having the opportunity to spend time with these people, to engage with them, and just offer God's love to them.

"It's lovely to just have a variety of opportunities to come before God, offer your worship in many, many different ways."