All Things Considered

What happens when a young family leaves a familiar ministry, trusted friends and a settled life to answer what they believe is God's call to a new city?

In this special edition of All Things Considered, Owen and Laura share the story of their first year at St Thomas Church, Swansea. Through personal diary recordings made at key moments along the way, they reflect on the challenges and joys of leaving Oxford, settling into a historic church community, and discovering what it means to follow a calling into the unknown.

Alongside their reflections, we hear from members of the congregation, church leaders and friends who offer their own perspectives on life at St Thomas. From licensing day and Christmas celebrations to moments of doubt, difficult decisions, funerals, baptisms and unexpected highlights, this programme captures the realities of ministry and family life during a year of significant change.

All Things Considered: Diary of Our First Year in Swansea explores what it means to put down new roots, trust God's leading and look to the future with hope.

Azim Ahmed goes on a journey to explore spiritual vocation across our rich faith traditions in Wales. The word vocation originates from the Latin vocatio meaning 'a call' or 'summons', and while it remains closely tied to religious calling, the modern concept includes a broader range of paths and life pursuits. In the programme today, Azim explores this range of callings; from a young woman training for ordination at a Buddhist Retreat Centre in rural Brecon, to a Muslim teacher helping children in the centre of Cardiff to learn about their religion. We’ll hear from a Jewish educator supporting adults to reconnect with Judaism, and from a young Hindu woman at the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Cardiff who’s supporting her community to prepare for celebrations for the International Day of Yoga.

The Law Commission has recently recommended new rules be brought in to allow different funeral methods in England and Wales. They include Terramation also known as Human Composting, where a body is reduced to soil that can be used in a garden.

Jonathan Thomas discusses the issues around human composting with guests:

Kristoffer Hughes, a druid from North Wales, who has gone on to launch Eterrna – which is campaigning to bring Human Composting to the UK.

Gwion Hallam from Twm Twm Films who are hoping to document the first Human Composting in Wales.

Bishop Peter Brignall, the Roman Catholic bishop of Wrexham.

Simon Woodman was a tutor in Biblical Studies at Cardiff Baptist College, and is now minister of Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in the West End of London.

Reverend Matt Davis is a Ministry Area Leader for the Church in Wales.

Jonathan Thomas speaks to the Reverend Simeon Baker, recently appointed as the new General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Wales.

The Baptist Union of Wales represents over 320 churches and 8000 members across the country. Simeon sets out his vision for the future of the Baptist Union; the challenges ahead and the evolving role of ministry in Wales. Together, they discuss the realities of sustaining church structures that were originally designed to serve far larger congregations; at the end of the 19th century, at its peak, the Baptist Union of Wales had 100, 000 members. What’s the legacy today of managing a church that was once so vast? They reflect on the role the church can play in times of political division, and explore the implications of the reduction of theology teaching provision in Wales.

For professional footballers and for fans it's inevitable that they will have to cope with occasional losses. As the FIFA World Cup gets underway in the Americas, the buzz of competition will lure many viewers into the spectacle, but there's only room for one overall winner. How do we prepare for that, and how do we cope with success? Rosa Hunt chairs a discussion with a panel of guests with different interests. Graham Daniels is currently chair of Cambridge United Football Club, and is also Managing Director of Christians in Sport. Sian Elin Thomas is a Baptist Minister in West Wales with a keen interest in sport, and in the intensely competitive world of the Eisteddfod. Sandra Birdsall is an Anglican vicar and a former geneticist. Iwan Russell is an award-winning film-maker, broadcaster, theologian and avid sports fan.

Rosa Hunt leads a discussion about the long tradition of clergy as writers. From poetry to fiction, we ask what drives ministers to write and whether it belongs within—or beyond—their calling. Through candid conversation, they examine questions of time, honesty and purpose, and whether writing becomes an extension of ministry or a space to challenge, reflect and communicate a deeper worldview. Joining Rosa are:

Elinor Wyn Reynolds

Mark Clavier

Nathan Munday

Last weekend saw the symbols of Christianity used in different acts of protest. At the 'Unite the Kingdom' rally, organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, crosses and posters saying ‘Christ is King’ were held aloft. Some called for a return to a 'Christian Britain.' At the same time churches took part in 'A Million Acts of Hope', sharing stories about the people in their communities who help the elderly or refugees, the people who run food banks or community gardens, arguing that hope is louder than hate.

In these seemingly polarised times, Jonathan Thomas speaks to guests from our four nations to give their perspectives. What is driving people to take to the streets? What are people so frustrated about and what can bring people together? Jonathan is joined by author and broadcaster Krish Kandiah, founder of The Sanctuary Foundation, a charity supporting refugees and vulnerable families. Peter Lynas, UK Director of the Evangelical Alliance, joins from Northern Ireland. Faith Jarvis, host of the 'Faith Speaks Louder' podcast and minister at Church on the Move joins from Wales. From Scotland, Jonathan is joined by Kenny Innes, pastor at Falkirk Vineyard Church. He's also the host of the TheoDisc podcast, and teaches at WTC, a theological college with locations across the UK.

In this week’s All Things Considered, Richard Littledale explores how the work of Bible translation begun by John Wycliffe still shapes faith, language and culture today.

Azim Ahmed talks to the Head of Wales for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Born in Holyhead, Ruth has always had strong attachment to Wales, and has worked at a variety of jobs before taking on her current role since 2017. At the same time, she answered a call to ministry, and is now an ordained priest in the Church in Wales, working in the Garth Ministry Area.

At a time when human rights are under unprecedented assault from organisations and governments, and in certain sections of the media, Ruth explains the history and the universality of human rights.

Jonathan Thomas is joined by Dr Chloe Swart the National Director of Alpha UK. It’s a course that helps people explore the Christian faith, and which just last year was used by nearly three million people across one hundred and fifty-eight countries. Dr Swart is also a theologian and Church leader.

Her first book, “605 Everyday Miracles – Learning to do what Jesus Did, Today” is taken from her phd research. It’s based on hundreds of first hand accounts of healing. People who claim they had or witnessed all sorts of conditions from sciatica to cancer improved and even completely healed through the power of prayer. Not necessarily in churches but everyday places like fast food restaurants, bus stops and gyms.

She talks about what she discovered in her research and what she sees happening in the church across Wales and the UK.