The Reverend Dyfrig Rees’ first report as Free Church Council of Wales President
1. I had the opportunity to join the friends of the “Ystafell Fyw” Living Room for their Tree of Hope ceremony/service just before Christmas. There was an opportunity to learn and find out about the special work done by the charity. Several of the clients were present and were very willing to share their experiences and their testimony to the work of the Living Room.
Special thanks were given to Wynford Ellis Owen for his work and leadership.
2. Since then, Wynford has been honoured with the Times Sternberg Award 2026, an award given to people for their service at a time in their life when they should be enjoying leisure and rest. We know, of course, of his commendable service in the field of care and advice and counselling and for his core role in the work of the Living Room.
3. Following a discussion in the Council in November, it was decided that we contact Archbishops Cherry and Mark to ask them about the appropriateness of drawing up a joint Christmas statement/message. Cynan Llwyd was a link between us and I had the privilege of drawing up a draft message which grew better as the Archbishops edited it.
4. I attended the event at the Temple of Peace on Holocaust Remembrance Day in January. The theme was Transition of the Generations. This is, of course, a very sensitive matter, especially bearing in mind the tensions that exist in Israel/Palestine and across so many countries in the world.
5. I attended an event in the Senedd organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. An opportunity to network and form acquaintances.
6. I signed in the name of the Council a statement drawn up by Archbishop Mark on behalf of the faith communities of Wales to be sent to the Senedd in view of the discussion to allow the right to die asking them not to deny that right.
I assumed, correctly, that I hope the Council's churches would agree with that message.
7. I was very sorry that I could not accept an invitation to Iftar which opened the period of Ramadan as there was a definite desire to build bridges between the faith communities.
8. It was a special experience to be at the Temple of Peace to mark the launch of Cymru Global, formerly the WCIA. (Welsh Centre for International Affairs) In a time of tensions and a dire lack of coexistence in our world this is an agency that we need to make much more use of.
9. Again, at the Temple of Peace a meeting was organized by our Islamic friends for the Abrahamic religions and an opportunity to sign a statement on the eve of the election appealing for a commitment to ensure that Wales is a nation where peace and justice and brotherhood demand and base all life.
10. Group Enable Agreement. There is a report presented to this meeting by Cynan.
11. It is fitting that we thank Dr Jenny Hurd for her presidency as her term draws to a close and wish well to one of our people, Kathryn Stowers, from Newport who succeeds her.
12. Faith Communities Forum. As you know, of course, Jane Hutt's term as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Equality is over. Sioned Williams comes to that role now.