Mission and Outreach
Some people think that Orthodoxy is not interested in mission and outreach. It is true that we do not engage in proselytism, but we see evangelism - that is, the passionate sharing of the Gospel - as fundamental to the Faith. Below are some of the ways we engage in mission and outreach consistent with our Orthodox vocation.
Mission
When it comes to mission, we take our place in South Wales seriously. We use the Welsh language within our liturgies; we celebrate the Welsh saints; we get involved in our context. Wales has an almost-2000 year Christian history; we see it as our task to embrace this, and use it both as an inspiration for what we do today, and the ground from which we proclaim the Gospel that impels us. First and foremost, then, is the fact that we love Wales: its people; its land; its history.
To this end, Fr Jacob is known for speaking publicly around the country - and further afield - about our Christian inheritance. He can frequently be seen walking the neighbourhoods in his cassock, conversing with people and going into the local shops (and pubs!).
Fr Jacob is not alone in this, however. Many parishioners have been instrumental in inviting people to join us, in providing hospitality to those who do, and in sharing their faith with anyone that might wish to know more - both in real life, and online.
Outreach
Because until recently, we did not have our own building from which to serve the community, Outreach has been limited to the initiative of individual members within the parish. This has been fruitful, however, and has included pastoral visiting, being there for one another and for others in support, and contributing where possible to the wider community. With the acquisition of a new building which we will soon be able to call 'home', we have many more projects in store!
