[Church in Wales] A joyous service of rededication and thanksgiving recently took place at St. Cadoc’s Church in Caerleon following months of building work to reorder the space, making it much more usable for the community.
More than 200 people filled the church for the special service, which was led by Archbishop of Wales Cherry Van. It marked the fulfilment of a 20-year vision, the culmination of four years of extensive consultation and planning, and 15 months of intensive building work.
Van spoke about the church from its founding by Cadoc in the 6th century to its mission in the 21st century, calling the church congregations living stones to be shaped for use in the church of God.
Local dignitaries joined the St. Cadoc’s church family and the wider Caerleon community to celebrate the refurbishment of the church, which will ensure that for years to come St. Cadoc’s will continue to rival the Roman remains in Caerleon as a viable building of significant religious, cultural and historical importance.
The theme of the service was one of celebration and joy, with thanksgiving for the past but with eyes very much fixed on the future. One of the key moments of the service was the placing of a blessed time capsule by pupils of Charles Williams CinW Primary School into the center of the church’s newly installed labyrinth.
The pupils also joined IsingPop to provide some singing and dancing, while music was also provided by the Beechwood Ministry Area combined choirs singing “The Heavens are Telling” from Haydn’s Creation.