Church prays for missing minister

The congregation of missing Penarth minister, the Rev David Fox, are holding daily vigils of prayer as they continue to wait for news.

Church members are meeting every evening at 5pm and plan to do so until their minister is found. He disappeared more than a week ago, while on a walking holiday in Slovenia.

The leader of the United Reformed Church in Wales, the Rev Peter Noble, was with church members on Monday night and will be there again on Tuesday night.

He said: "They are sad, but are supporting one another. They remain hopeful that David will be found alive, but they recognise that as time goes by there is less likely to be a happy outcome.

"They are overwhelmed by the support and caring concern shown by other churches in Penarth, and from the United Reformed Church across Wales, Scotland and England."

Church secretary, Margaret Oliver, has received numerous cards, including many from people who knew Rev Fox earlier in his ministry in Tenby, Bettws (Newport) and Holywell (Clwyd). There have also been supportive messages from people who met him during his holiday in Slovenia.

David Fox, 52, is also Clerk to the Wales Synod of the United Reformed Church, a top administrative role. He was due back in Wales last Wednesday. There was to have been a surprise party to mark the 25th anniversary of his ordination as a minister.