Members of Maesyronnen Chapel URC and Llanfair Uniting Church, Penrhys, were privileged to witness the former moderator of the URC Wales Synod Rev’d Dr John Morgans be admitted to the Gorsedd in a ceremony at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham on Friday 8th August. John was welcomed by the current archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales Mererid Hopwood, along with other notables on this bright, sunny morning.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales honoured John because of his significant contributions to ecumenical life in Wales, through his time as minister in the Swansea area, as Moderator of the URC and especially at Penrhys. It was here that John, his wife Norah and their young family moved to, to support the minister. He and Norah then established Llanfair Uniting Church when he became minister there. John has a strong belief in social justice, has learned Welsh and supports a range of Welsh cultural activities. He is also author of several books, with his new book telling the story of Penrhys about to be published in Welsh.
After his welcoming ceremony, there was a reception at the Cytûn stand on the Maes held in honour of John and fellow new Gorsedd member Gethin Rhys, which was addressed by Cytûn general secretary and head of Tearfund Wales Dr. Cynan Llwyd.
[Photograph credits – M. Ricketts Hein]