Meifod was the setting for a historic visit by the Bishop of Asaph on Sunday 9 May. In his second year as bishop, the Rt Revd Dr Gregory Cameron plans to visit every area (or ‘deanery’) of his diocese and this was the first of these official ‘Visitations’.
Meifod is one of ten parishes in the Deanery of Caereinion, served by three clergy. The Revd David Francis, Area Dean, was unable to attend the Visitation due to ill health, but the Bishop was welcomed to St Tysilio and St Mary’s parish church by the Vicar, the Revd Warren Williams. Also present at the morning service were the Revd Linden Fletcher, Vicar of Llanfair Caereinion, Llanllugan and Manafon; and retired clergy with local contacts, the Revd Glyn Morgan and the Revd Peter Evans.
Bishop Gregory said after his visit, “I have very much enjoyed coming to the Deanery. It has been an historic, happy and memorable occasion, my first Visitation of my Episcopal See. I will always remember the visit with great affection and look forward to returning to the Deanery in due course.”
During the Eucharist service, the Young Adventurers (Conor, Ceri and Carley Ronnie; and Amber and India Wilkinson; all members of the Sunday School) performed a colourful pageant of mediaeval Local Saints of the Early Church. The Bishop was celebrant and preacher; lessons were read and hymns sung in Welsh and English. The organist was Mr John R Jones.
After a lunch in Meifod Community hall, attended by parishioners from across the deanery, clergy and churchwardens returned to the church for the formal Visitation led by the Bishop, assisted by the Archdeacon of Montgomery, the Ven John Thelwell.
Bishop Gregory is travelling to each of the eighteen deaneries; his next Visitation is to the Deanery of Rhos (the area around Colwyn Bay) on Sunday 4 July.
