PRAYERS from many different churches in the
Llandaff diocese were sent soaring into the air on
Open Churches Day. It was all part of the Welsh "Open Doors"
programme, when all heritage sites are open, and free to visitors.
Seven Church in Wales churches in the Vale of Glamorgan had
combined with two chapels, one Baptist and one Presbyterian, to
take part.
The day began when the Revd Martyn Davies (right)
released nearly 200 balloons from the church tower of St
Nicholas's, in the East Vale group of churches, each carrying a
prayer written by schoolchildren and local residents. Everyone
watched the balloons fly high into the sky, and then they set off
on a short walk to St Peter's, at Peterston-super-Ely, where they
ate their packed lunches and listened to a music recital.
Through the afternoon, they visited another seven churches, all
of which had their church records and history on display. The day
ended with the ringing of church bells.
"We had wanted to do something different this year, and engage
more schools," Mr Davies says, "which is why we asked the pupils of
four Church in Wales schools in the area to write the majority of
the prayers and messages for the balloons.
"Nearly 200 balloons were launched, raising £200 for Riding for
the Disabled at St Bride's [-super-Ely], which is celebrating its
50th anniversary this year. One of our members is producing
booklets containing the prayers for each of the schools to keep.
The musical event at St Peter's Church, where eight soloists sang,
also raised several hundred pounds for 'Syria in Crisis', which
meant we raised money for charities both national and
international."