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“Cross to bear: Tom’s climb of faith”
Heavy lifting for a higher purpose
Tom Uttley is taking his journey of faith to new heights, by carrying a 2.5m wooden cross to the top of Pen-y-fan, the highest point in South Wales.
27 year old Tom lives in the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Ministry Area, and attends St. Illtud’s Church in Llantwit Major. Having served in the British Army since he was 19, Tom is well used to a physical challenge, but this one is personal.
“I’m still on a journey of faith and I struggle with that sometimes,” he reflects, “when it’s hard to understand the details of scripture and make it work in my life, and I’m someone who learns by doing and by experiences. By doing this I’m literally walking the way of the cross, and I hope it will bring me a bit closer to Christ.”
Tom is being sponsored for his epic journey
The money he raises will go to St Illtud’s Church, which has a special place in his life.
“My wife Zoe and I were married at the church in June and Zoe was Baptised there on Easter Day, so it’s become a really special place for us. Since I’ve started coming to church it’s increased my self awareness and I’ve got another view of myself and the world. Zoe has helped me beyond words with my faith – she sees the good in everyone, and that makes me do a lot of self reflection.”
The peak of Pen-y-fan is 886 metres and Tom’s challenge will take place in mid August, with an early morning start to avoid the heat of the day. He’s climbed up there before with family and friends (and with ‘work’), but this time it will be a very special personal journey of faith and experience.
“I went up “The Fan” with my grandad last year and I saw a lad with a cross about to go up, and it got me thinking. Mind you, his cross was nowhere near as big as the one I’m taking! Initially I was going to do it for me… but it seemed obvious to do it for the church. My wife is really good at baking to raise funds for St Illtud’s, and this seemed like a good way for me to do my bit.”
Fr Edwin Counsell from St Illtud’s Church will be part of the ‘support team’ on the day.
He commented:
“Everyone is getting behind Tom for this challenge. The cross he’s carrying is the same one we use in church on Good Friday, and then decorate with flowers for Easter Day. It’s heavy, awkward and I always get splinters when I pick it up, and maybe that’s a reminder that God travels alongside us most powerfully on the difficult bits of life’s journey.
Tom is literally living out the hard yards of his faith journey, and he does so with all of our love and prayers… and the view from the summit will be fabulous!”
You can support “Tom’s Climb of Faith” via his GoFundMe page
Please use the Gofundme page if you are able to Gift Aid your donation
If not, you can use the QR code below to pay directly to St Illtud's Church
And you can follow his progress on St Illtud’s Facebook page…. @stilltudschurch
Give to your Church with Gift Direct
Gift Direct allows you to set up a standing order for as little or as much as you like every single month. This can help secure the future of your church by this regular guaranteed giving.
Scan the QR code on the poster above or follow the link below:
When you set this up that you can decide exactly where this money is going. *Click here*
Easyfundraising help.
Another way you can help without giving money is Glamorgan Heritage Coast Ministry Area is now registered with ‘easyfundraising’, which means you can raise FREE donations for us every time you shop online. Over 7,000 brands will donate to us when you use ‘easyfundraising’ to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself! Once you have signed up it will happen automatically every time you shop with the chosen brands. For example Amazon.
These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment.
You can find our ‘easyfundraising’ page
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Events
PLEASE NOTE: WITNESS TO THE LIGHT IS NOT ON IN AUGUST
Worship Information
Click here to see the readings for Sunday 9th August
Services on Sunday 9th August: The Tenth Sunday after Trinity
8.00am Eucharist at St Illtud’s Church, Llantwit Major
9.30am Holy Eucharist at Ewenny Priory Church
9.30am Eucharist at St Illtud’s Church (& on Facebook)
11.00am Eucharist at St Bridget’s Church, St Brides
Major
11.00am Eucharist at St Cattwg’s Church, Llanmaes
11.00am August Combined Eucharist for the Churches
of St Donat’s, St Mary’s, Holy Trinity and St James at St
Mary Magdalene Church, Monknash
11.00 Eucharist at St Tathan Church, St Athan
Facebook Live link
click here
Morning Prayer: Monday at 9.00am on Zoom.
The meeting code is 592 850 026, and the password is Prayers, or
click on this link to join…
The liturgy for Morning Prayer is available in the worship section of this website.
Prayers for the Parish, led by the Mothers Union on Tuesday at 11.00am.
The Meeting ID: 879 7812 1918 and the password: MU, or
click on this link to join…
Morning Prayer from Wick on Thursday at 8.30am.
The Meeting ID: 872 7024 3106 and the password: James, or
click on this link to join…
If you know of anyone who would like to receive this information each week, please email or call the Parish Office (office@ghcp.church 01446 792439) and we will add them to the distribution list. Of course, if you would prefer not to receive further emails, please let us know.
With our prayers and good wishes,
The GHC Ministry Team
