Buildings Conference
‘What do those stones mean to you?’
One day conference on the use of our buildings
This is a question that Joshua, Moses’ successor, and who now led Israel, anticipated that future generations would ask as they noticed this cairn alongside the river Jordan. These stones were a witness to God’s saving work in bringing his people out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and now through the Jordan (Joshua 4:6).
Wales is sometimes known as the country of castles and chapels. While the castles point to periods of oppression and revolt, the chapels and church buildings of all denominations speak of the Lord’s work throughout the generations, calling a people to himself from every corner of our land.
We will seek to address this question in a day conference arranged by the Presbyterian Church of Wales at Gloddaeth Church, Llandudno on the 2nd of April. In our context, where we face social and community changes, and with so many of our buildings bearing witness to a completely different period in our story as a nation. We will be asking, “What do these stones mean today?” in this one-day conference, and to do so by means of interviews, and short addresses. There will be at least 15 speakers who will share their experience of ensuring the upkeep of buildings, of beginning a new work, of using community spaces, and of developing religious buildings for community use.
We will hear from Dr Eryn White, who will speak to the aspirations of those that built these chapels, and Ieuan Wyn Jones will speak to adapting an old building for community use. Dafydd Iwan will speak about the importance of buildings in a community, especially with regard to his experience as a language campaigner. Neil Kirkham will share the experience of developing the building at Gloddaeth in Llandudno. We will also address environmental considerations, meeting social need, planting new work, and repurposing old buildings. We will also be joined by representatives from Housing Justice Cymru, CADW and the Charity Commission, and they will share their experience and expertise.
“We are really looking forward to this conference, as we seek to approach the chapels that we have inherited from our parents in a way which is creative and practical. Our aim is to identify what opportunities they offer us today as a Church.” Nan Powell-Davies, General Secretary PCW.