What is an Anglican?

“Come and See.”

Gospel of John 1:39

If you have never been to church before, or have not attended for many years, you may be wondering what kind of church St Michael and All Angels actually is.

The short answer is that we are part of the Church in Wales, part of the worldwide family of Anglican churches found across the globe, united by a shared Christian faith and a common heritage. But those facts only tell part of the story.

At its heart, the Church in Wales is a community of ordinary people seeking to follow Jesus Christ. We gather to worship God, support one another, serve our communities and share the hope that we have found in the Christian faith.

Whether you are deeply committed in your faith, simply curious, or still unsure what you believe, you are warmly welcome among us.

Rooted in an Ancient Faith

Christianity has been part of Welsh life for well over 1,500 years. Long before modern denominations existed, saints such as David, Teilo and Illtud helped establish Christian communities throughout Wales. We see ourselves as continuing that ancient story today, worshipping the same God, proclaiming the same Gospel and sharing in the same mission of service, compassion and prayer.

One of the distinctive features of Anglican Christianity is that it seeks to hold together things that are sometimes treated as opposites. We value the Bible as the foundation of our faith. We treasure the wisdom of the Church throughout the centuries. At the same time, we believe Christians are called to engage thoughtfully with the world around them and continue learning how God is at work in every generation.

This means that Anglican churches often contain people with a variety of perspectives and experiences, united not by agreeing on every detail, but by a shared desire to follow Jesus Christ.

What Makes Anglicans Different?

People sometimes describe Anglicanism as a “middle way” within Christianity. Like Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians, we value the sacraments, ancient prayers, bishops and a rich tradition of worship. Like many Protestant churches, we place a strong emphasis on the Bible, preaching and the importance of a personal relationship with God. Rather than seeing these traditions as competing with one another, Anglicans have often sought to learn from both.

As a result, you may find beautiful ancient prayers alongside modern language, historic ceremonies alongside contemporary acts of service, and deep reverence alongside a warm and practical faith lived out in everyday life. Most importantly, we believe that the Christian faith is not simply a set of ideas to be learnt, but a relationship with God to be lived.

Part of a Bigger Family

Although St Michael and All Angels serves its local community, we are also part of something much larger. Our parish belongs to the Diocese of St Davids, which takes its name from Wales’ patron saint. The Diocese stretches across much of west Wales and is centred on the magnificent St Davids Cathedral, a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage for many centuries.

As a parish, we share in the life of the Diocese and look to the Bishop of St Davids, the Right Reverend Dorrien Davies, as our bishop and pastor. Through his ministry, and that of those who have gone before him, we remain connected to the wider life of the Church throughout Wales. The Church in Wales is also led by the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Reverend Cherry Vann. Together with the bishops, clergy and people of the Church in Wales, she helps guide the Church’s worship, mission and ministry across the nation.

For us, these are not simply organisational roles. They remind us that our local parish is part of a wider family of churches across Wales and throughout the Anglican Communion, united in prayer, worship and service.

Seeking Christian Unity

While Christians belong to different churches and traditions, we share far more than divides us. The Church in Wales works closely with other Christian denominations, and we rejoice whenever people encounter God’s love, whatever church they may call home. We have much to learn from Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and many others.

Differences do exist, and those differences matter. Yet we believe we are at our best when we approach one another with humility, grace and mutual respect. Our hope is the hope expressed by Jesus himself: that Christians may grow in unity, understanding and love, witnessing together to the good news of God’s kingdom.

A Welcoming Church

We understand that many people approach Christianity with questions, concerns or even painful experiences. Sometimes Christians and churches have failed to reflect the love, mercy and compassion of Jesus. At various times in history, Christian beliefs and institutions have been used to exclude, shame or marginalise people. We know that some carry those wounds, and we do not pretend those experiences have not happened.

At the heart of the Christian faith, however, is Jesus’ command to love God and to love our neighbour. At St Michael and All Angels, we are committed to being a place of welcome, hospitality and respect. We are an affirming parish. We welcome LGBTQ+ people, celebrate the ministry of women, and seek to reflect God’s love for every person. Our own priest is a woman, and we give thanks for the gifts, leadership and ministry that women bring to the life of the Church.

Most importantly, we believe that every person is made in the image of God and is deserving of dignity, compassion and love. You do not need to fit a particular mould to belong here.

What About the Strange Bits?

Let’s be honest: Christianity can sometimes sound rather strange. Christians speak about resurrection, baptism, saints, sacraments and receiving the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. Some of the language used in church services can seem unfamiliar, confusing or even unsettling at first. The good news is that you are not the first person to think so.

Even during Jesus’ own ministry, some of his teachings seemed difficult and surprising. When he spoke about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, many of those listening responded:

“This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

John 6:60

Faith is not about pretending to understand everything immediately. Questions are welcome. Curiosity is welcome. Doubt is welcome. Christians believe that faith grows over time through prayer, worship, study, conversation and experience. None of us arrives with all the answers, and there is no examination to pass before walking through the church door.

Could This Be Your Spiritual Home?

We know that stepping through the doors of a church can feel like a huge step. Perhaps you have never been before. Perhaps it has been decades since you last attended. You may worry that you won’t know what to do, what to say, or whether you will fit in.

The truth is that everybody starts somewhere. At St Michael and All Angels, you will find a warm welcome. No one expects you to know the prayers, understand every part of the service, or have everything figured out. Simply coming along is enough.

We are a community of ordinary people seeking to know God better, support one another, and serve our neighbours. Whether you are exploring Christianity for the first time, returning after many years away, or simply curious about what happens inside our church, we would be delighted to welcome you.

Or for more information you are warmly invited to get in touch.