Welsh ecumenical body expands chaplaincy presence at agricultural show

For the first time, chaplains will be on hand to support showgoers at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show next week.

In a new scheme, a dedicated team of professional pastors will provide care and support on and around the showground. They will also man a 24/7 helpline.

The new chaplaincy has been set up in response to a huge need identified on the Showground in recent years.

Chris Coe, Rural Life Officer for the United Reformed Church in Wales, is coordinating the Chaplaincy Team under the banner of the Welsh ecumenical body, CYTÛN.

“The show attracts people from the whole of Wales, and from all walks of life,” he said.

“With them come their needs, worries, hopes and fears. There is too, the other side – when so many people meet, there is always the possibility of death, illness, disaster and so on."

An emergency chaplain will be on duty at all times throughout the show to receive calls made to the helpline and respond in a pastoral way.

Mr Coe said the emergency chaplain would seek to meet the need of the caller and "offer them the hand of fellowship" not just on the show ground but in the days, weeks and months following.

Two chaplains will be on duty in the CYTÛN Tent each day to meet and greet and provide pastoral care where needed.

The new chaplaincy is being launched following a trial run in 2009, where the team was able to help in many situations. In particular, they found that being out and amongst the crowds, many opportunities arose to chat and offer care. Chaplains will be easy to spot, sporting high-visibility jackets with the words “Chaplain” and the Welsh “Caplan” on the back.

The Chaplaincy Team includes experienced pastors from all the major Welsh denominations. Many of its members are Rural Officers within their own churches and the Show offers an opportunity to pool their talents and experiences to offer a professional and dedicated service.

The Chaplaincy Team has the blessing of the Show’s Chief Executive, David Walters OBE, who said: “There have been a number of requests in the past for some kind of pastoral care or perhaps a prayer centre on the showground where visitors can take time out for quiet contemplation and silent prayer.

"The introduction of the chaplaincy service is a positive step in this direction which I am sure will be greatly appreciated by visitors, especially those who may be in need of support and help in what might be for them a critical time.”

The Rev Aled Edwards, Chief Executive of CYTÛN, added: “We rejoice that this chaplaincy is being provided and look forwards to working together as Churches.

“I’m confident that the chaplaincy will greatly benefit the show.”