Postcard campaign to find new priests

The Church in Wales will be handing out postcards this Sunday as part of a major drive to boost the number of vicars.

The bilingual cards invite people to think about whether they, or anyone else they know, would consider a career in the Church in Wales.

Those interested can respond to the calling using the postcard.

Ministry and Calling Sunday was launched by the Church in Wales two years ago to promote vocations to ordained ministry and uncover its next generation of leaders.

As well as the postcards, special prayers will be said for people considering ordination and a website will be launched to help those who want to find out more about vocations.

The website includes video clips of people describing times in their lives when they valued the ministry of a priest.

It will also give information on events and church contacts for advice and support.

The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron, who spearheads the Church’s vocations strategy, said that with a third of the clergy - 166 - due to retire in the next five years, the Church was facing a "growing need" to find more ministers.

"God has not stopped calling people but we need to search out and develop new ways of identifying leaders to sustain our life," he said.

"Those ordained by the church have still got an important role to undertake, and we all need to work together to seek out vocations – especially among younger people.

“In this busy, noisy world in which we live today, it’s not always easy to hear the 'still, small voice of calm' calling us to a different way of life.

"There are so many distractions and other demands it is difficult to pay attention to what we are really being called to do or to question the path we’re on.

"Sometimes, it takes others who know us well to point it out to us before we start listening more carefully.”

Those unable to get to church on June 5 can join the congregation of St Asaph Cathedral at a service broadcast on BBC Radio Wales' Celebration, at 7.30am

Online: www.churchinwales.org.uk/call