Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales is pleased to draw attention to an important online workshop being hosted by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) on Tuesday, 21 April 2026. Led by Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal, the session will give local ecumenical groups and church representatives across Wales the opportunity to explore Sanctuary Sunday and the journey towards becoming a Church of Sanctuary.

What will the workshop cover?

The session will offer practical and theological guidance for churches across Wales who wish to understand the meaning and purpose of Sanctuary Sunday, how to take part in it, and how to begin the journey towards becoming a Church of Sanctuary in their local communities.

Topics to be explored include:

•  The resources available to support local interchurch groups to promote and celebrate Sanctuary Sunday – including liturgy, prayers, and material for reflection and action.

•  What is involved in becoming a Church of Sanctuary, and what that commitment means in practice.

•  What support and resources are available to guide churches through this journey.

•  How local ecumenical groups can encourage and support member churches considering this commitment.

About Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal

Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal is a leading figure in sanctuary theology and ecumenism in Britain. He is the author of ‘Hospitality and Sanctuary for All’, republished in a revised edition in 2025 with a new chapter outlining the concept of a Church of Sanctuary. His work has been central to the theological case for churches that actively welcome and protect the most vulnerable in their communities.

Why should churches in Wales attend?

The call to be places of sanctuary is one deeply rooted in the Christian tradition – from the hospitality values of the Old Testament to the ministry of Jesus himself among the marginalised and the voiceless. At a time when migration, asylum and the welcome of strangers are live and contested issues in public life, this workshop offers churches in Wales the opportunity to consider how they can respond to these challenges in faith and in action.

Cytyûn encourages representatives from its member churches and denominations across Wales to register for this session and to take advantage of the opportunity to learn, share and be equipped for a ministry of sanctuary in their local communities.

How to register

The event is free and open to all. Register using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the details for joining the meeting.

Register here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zr4Ze4laQnSQdHrBRxkjWw

Full event details (CTBI):  https://ctbi.org.uk/event/sanctuary-sunday-and-church-of-sanctuary-workshop/

Cytûn is pleased to confirm that the 2026 Welcome to Wales course will take place between 23–25 September 2026 at Sport Wales’s Centre in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (CF11 9SW).

Welcome to Wales is a training course for ministers and Christian workers who are coming to work in Wales for the first time, or who are returning after a period away. The course offers an opportunity to become more familiar with the Welsh context and to connect with others beginning ministry or service in Wales.

Both residential and non-residential applications are welcome. The closing date for applications is 30 August 2026.

For further information or enquiries, please contact Sasha Perriam at post@cytun.cymru.

Cardiff, January 2026 – Cytûn is hosting a timely discussion on Christian nationalism on Thursday 12 February 2026 at 6.30pm, examining both the global phenomenon and its relationship to Welsh Christian tradition.

The event, taking place at Tabernacl, Yr Ais (The Hays) in Cardiff, will feature Rev. Dr Rhys Llwyd, Minister of Caersalem, Caernarfon, and published author whose work engages with public theology and Christian nationalism.

Dr Llwyd will address the topic “Christian Nationalism: A Double-Edged Sword?” exploring lessons from the Welsh Christian tradition and the challenges posed by contemporary expressions of Christian nationalism, particularly in light of recent political developments in the United States and beyond.

The discussion comes at a significant moment as churches across Wales grapple with questions about the relationship between Christian faith, national identity, and political engagement. Dr Llwyd’s expertise in this area, including his recent work Tynged Cenedl (The Fate of the Nation), offers valuable insights into how Welsh Christians might respond to these complex issues.

The event will be conducted in Welsh with simultaneous translation available, ensuring accessibility for all attendees and in partnership with Tabernacl the Hayes, Cardiff Baptist College and City United Reformed Church.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
• Time: 6.30pm
• Location: Tabernacl, Yr Ais (The Hays), Cardiff
• Language: Welsh with simultaneous translation

This event is part of a series of resources that will be made available online to download and view. The series is made possible by the genrous support of our members. 

Free public lecture examines how Christians should respond to populist claims in the run-up to May’s historic Senedd election

As Wales prepares for the landmark Senedd elections in May 2026 – the first under the new proportional representation system – churches and faith communities are being invited to a timely lecture exploring how Christianity intersects with contemporary populist politics.

Rev Dr Helen Paynter from Bristol Baptist College will deliver “Populism, Politics and the Claim to Christianity: How should the Church respond?” at City United Reformed Church, Cardiff, on Saturday 31 January at 14:00. The event is free and open to all.

The lecture launches a new series of events forming part of Cytûn’s Public Theology Programme, which will feature lectures, interviews, and discussions throughout 2026. The programme equips churches across Wales to engage thoughtfully with pressing social and political questions. With politicians increasingly invoking Christian language and imagery to support populist movements, Dr Paynter’s opening lecture comes at a crucial moment for faith communities seeking to navigate the upcoming electoral period with theological integrity and clarity.

“The relationship between faith and politics has never been more complex,” said Dr Cynan Llwyd General Secretary of Cytûn. “As we approach the Senedd elections, it’s vital that Christians can discern how to respond when their faith is co-opted for political ends – and how to engage constructively in our democratic processes. This lecture is the first in a series designed to help churches think deeply about these challenges.”

The lecture is delivered in partnership with Tabernacle the Hayes, City United Reformed Church, and Cardiff Baptist College, demonstrating the ecumenical commitment to helping churches engage meaningfully with contemporary political challenges.

Event Details:

• When: Saturday 31 January 2026, 14:00
• Where: City United Reformed Church, Windsor Place, Cardiff CF10 3BZ
• Cost: Free entry
• Booking: No booking required

With the Senedd elections bringing significant constitutional changes to Welsh democracy, this opening lecture offers churches and individuals an opportunity to think carefully about how the Christian faith community can contribute to healthy political discourse whilst maintaining theological authenticity.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with one of the most pressing questions facing churches today. Join us on 31 January for the first in this important series, and discover how Christians can respond thoughtfully and faithfully to populism in our political life.

This event is part of a series of resources that will be made available online to download and view. The series is made possible by the genrous support of our members. 

Cytûn, working in partnership with Cyngor Ysgolion Sul, has begun its planning cycle for summer 2026 events, with a series of planning meetings taking place during February and March 2026.

These meetings are an opportunity for churches, denominations, and Christian organisations to come together to shape a shared ecumenical presence at three major national events during summer 2026. Building on the experience of previous years, the focus will be on hospitality, visibility, and creative engagement with communities from across Wales and beyond.

The planning meetings will take place as follows:

Urdd Eisteddfod – Ynys Môn (23–29 May 2026)

Planning meeting: Tuesday 2 March 2026, 7.00pm, Capel Lôn y Felin, Llangefni

Royal Welsh Show – Llanelwedd (20–23 July 2026)

Churches Tent planning meeting: Tuesday 3 March 2026, 12.30pm, CCRW Centre, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd

National Eisteddfod – Y Garreg Las, near Cardigan (1–8 August 2026)

Pabell yr Eglwysi (Churches’ Tent) planning meeting: Thursday 5 March 2026, 7.00pm, Capel Mair, Cardigan

All who are interested in contributing to the planning, delivery, or life of these events are warmly invited to attend. We would appreciate it if you could also share this message as widely as possible with your local churches, fellowships, and contacts. A warm welcome to all.

Although the Eisteddfodau celebrate and promote the Welsh language, Welsh speakers, learners, beginners, and those who have not yet had the opportunity to learn the language are all equally welcome to volunteer and participate fully in our shared ecumenical presence.

Further information and contact

For further details or to get involved, please contact: Aled Davies Director, Cyngor Ysgolion Sul and Cyhoeddiadau’r Gair aled@ysgolsul.com

As we mark Racial Justice Sunday on 8 February, new comprehensive resources are now available to help congregations and their leaders explore what it truly means to love our neighbour in today’s challenging times.

These freely available materials—produced in partnership with CTBI and available in both English and Welsh—offer congregations practical support for engaging with racial justice in worship, prayer and discussion. Whether you’re planning a Sunday service, leading a study group, or simply wanting to deepen your church’s witness to Christian unity and equality, these resources provide everything you need.

What’s Included?

The resource packs contain worship materials, biblical reflections, discussion prompts and practical ideas for action. They address the real conversations happening in our communities: the hostile narratives targeting asylum seekers and refugees, the challenge of embodying Christ’s radical love, and the biblical call to recognise that our ultimate identity lies in Christ, not in nationality or ethnicity.

Crucially, the resources are grounded in both theological depth and pastoral sensitivity, designed to equip church leaders and congregations to speak with confidence about racial justice from a Christian perspective. One of the co-authors is Rev Denzil John, a valued member of Cytûn’s Racial Justice Network, bringing lived experience and prophetic insight to the work.

Why This Matters Now

Racial Justice Sunday provides a vital opportunity for Welsh churches to stand together in affirming the dignity and belonging of all people. In a climate where division and suspicion of the ‘other’ are increasingly normalised, our churches have a distinctive and urgent calling to witness to Christian unity and to champion justice.

Get the Resources

Both English and Welsh versions are available to download or read online at: https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/racial-justice-sunday-8-february-2026/

Whether your congregation has been engaging with racial justice for years or is just beginning this conversation, these materials are designed to meet you where you are.

Use them this February—and beyond.

Cytûn invites you to a special memorial lecture celebrating Christmas and the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea

Churches Together in Wales (Cytûn) is pleased to announce the Gethin Abraham Memorial Lecture, taking place on Wednesday, 10th December 2025 at the Trinity Centre, Newport Road, Cardiff. Doors will open at 6pm.

This year’s lecture, titled “Who on Earth is Jesus Christ? – an early Church Conundrum”, will be delivered by guest speaker Father Jarel Robinson-Brown. The event marks a significant double celebration: the Christmas season and the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, one of the most important gatherings in Christian history.

The Council of Nicaea, held in 325 AD, was pivotal in establishing core Christian doctrine, particularly concerning the nature of Christ. This memorial lecture provides an opportunity to explore these foundational questions of Christian faith in a contemporary context.

Dr Cynan Llwyd, General Secretary of Cytun said,

“The Memorial Lecture honours the memory of Gethin Abraham Williams and continues Cytûn’s commitment to fostering theological dialogue and understanding across the churches of Wales.”

Father Jarel Robinson-Brown is a distinguished Anglican priest, scholar, and writer known for his contributions to theology, and his advocacy inclusivity within the Church. He currently serves as the Vicar of St German’s Church in Cardiff.

He was previously Associate Chaplain at King’s College London and served as a Methodist Minister in Wales and South East London. His research interests are in the History of Early Christianity, particularly in North Africa and Egyptian Late Antiquity

All are welcome to attend this free event. For further and to book information, please visit our Eventbrite Page.