August 17, 2020
Our Churches
The BMMR Parish Trust is linked with 6 Churches…
Latest News
July 21, 2020
Important Announcement: Reopening for Sunday Worship
Dear Parishioners, After a lot of planning and consideration, I’m very pleased to tell you that St. Michael’s Church in Michaelston-y-Fedw will...
June 1, 2020
Demand for CARE Project Help unaffected by Lockdown Easing
Statistics released today by the BMMR Parish Trust CARE Project for May indicate that the level of need in...
April 27, 2020
CARE Project receives Financial Backing from WCVA and Welsh Government
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Project Senior Leadership Team, I am delighted to announce that...
April 10, 2020
CARE Project makes News Headlines
Over the last week, the CARE Project has made local and national news, as over 100 volunteers galvanise themselves...
March 27, 2020
Day 5 of the CARE Project: Here’s what’s happened this week…
It is now Day 5 of the CARE Project – the initiative set up by the Bedwas, Machen, Michaelston-y-Fedw...
March 24, 2020
Government advises that charities like the CARE Project are still allowed to operate.
On Monday 23rd March, the British Government announced new measures to help tackle the spread of COVID-19. National restrictions...
March 24, 2020
CARE Project, Coronavirus and the Latest Government Announcement
Today, the British Government have put measures in place which will see a more robust approach to self-isolation taking...
March 19, 2020
How your local Church will offer help during the Coronavirus Outbreak
After a strange week and a lot of work behind the scenes, we have some important announcements to make...Life Events
Our Team
Rev. Dean Aaron Roberts
CHAIR OF TRUSTEES
RECTOR & VICAR
Hey there – my name’s Dean and I’m the Rector of Bedwas, Machen and Michaelston-y-Fedw, and Vicar of Rudry and the Chair of the BMMR Parish Trust.
I’ve lived in Wales all of my life, coming down from North Wales to live in Cardiff when I started university. I studied Religious Studies and Theology at Cardiff University whilst working a day job at O2, so I can at least say I’ve had a “normal” job at some point in my life! I graduated with a BA Honours in 2012. After that, I went on to be a “Pastoral Assistant” at St. Paul’s Church in Newport, and that is where I was confirmed and married. I became Lay Associate Pastor at that church and at the same time, I began to explore the possibility that God may be calling me to be ordained.
In 2014, I was accepted to train for ordination and I came to live and work in the parishes here. I trained for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol, and after a lot of stress and hard work managed to get a Master of Arts in Theology, Ministry and Mission. I was ordained in 2016 and have served here ever since, firstly as Curate and now as Rector & Vicar!
Somewhere along the way I also picked up a Cert.RSCM from the Royal School of Church Music, as I was interested in how humans respond to music, especially in a worship setting.
I’m married to Megan and we have two sons, Harri James and Elis Daniel. I love playing music (I’m a pianist and organist), walking, reading, blogging and horse riding as well as going to the cinema and theatre… but I don’t get to do much of that these days, so when I do get the opportunity, I’m in my element!
I’m so grateful to be able to serve as Rector & Vicar here. My priority is to love Jesus and make him known in our communities by enabling and encouraging others in their gifts and ministries. It’s an exciting time to be a part of these parishes, and my hope and prayer is that as we trust God, he will cause us to deepen in faith and grow in number. Please feel welcome to come and be a part of our church family – we’d love to have you on board.
Rev. Arthur Parkes ASSOCIATE PRIEST
Arthur was born and brought up in Cardiff. He was a chorister and server at St. John’s Parish Church, Cardiff until he joined the Welsh National School of Medicine where he trained as a Medical Scientist. After a break from singing he was recruited as a Gentleman Chorister singing tenor in the choir of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cardiff. He later sang with the Llandaff Cathedral Consort until starting training at St. Michael’s College. Arthur is also a ‘cellist and has given recitals all over South Wales and as far afield as Winchester Cathedral.
Following his retirement from Cardiff University, Arthur assisted in the Chaplaincy Dept at UHW and at Easter 2011 was appointed Pastoral Assistant in the Cyncoed Ministry Area.He was ordained in June 2012 and was appointed Assistant Curate at Cyncoed. In October 2016 he was appointed Associate Priest in this Minister Area. Fr. Arthur is a member of the Llandaff and Monmouth Chapter of the Society of Catholic Priests: an Anglican society of women and men serving as priests.
Liz Paull
ADMINISTRATOR
Hello! My name’s Liz and I am the BMMR Parish Trust Administrator. I moved to Caerphilly from Aylesbury with Ken, my husband, in 2017, to live closer to our eldest grandchildren, daughter and son in law.
I was born in Essex, grew up in Surrey and then the Isle of Wight, studied in York, met and married Ken in High Wycombe. We stayed in Buckinghamshire for over 30 years so moving to South Wales seemed a new adventure.
I first went to church as an adult with Megan, our eldest daughter. Megan was a baby and it seemed a good cover as walking into church even now can seem quite daunting. I needn’t have worried the church was very welcoming and I soon became involved in the church parent and toddler group, creche rota and made lots of lifelong friends. I also attended courses at the church and along with friendships they helped me develop the relationship I have now with God through Jesus Christ and his teachings.
I have had various jobs during my working life, including being a nurse, and previously working for a church. I’m very glad to be working at the BMMR Parish Trust to help the charity to grow and do God’s work in our area.
Siân Connolly
CARE PROJECT
FOOD PROCUREMENT OFFICER
Hi, my name is Siân! I’m the operations officer here at the BMMR Parish Trust CARE Project. I manage the sourcing of food at the project. I’ve been volunteering at the project since the start. It’s been crazy to see the project develop into what it is now.
I’m currently starting my second year of A Levels. I’m studying Religious studies, Politics and English Literature at St David’s Catholic College in Cardiff.
In my spare time I enjoy horse riding, playing football and looking after my pets. The horse I ride is called Ricky; we both enjoy hacking out around Machen in the countryside. I also have a lot of pets too. My favourite pet is my Guinea Pig called Coconut. He enjoyed cuddles and eating lots of grass. I also have four ducks, who lay really tasty eggs.
On weekends I enjoy attending St James’ Church in Rudry, where I have really grown in my faith in Jesus. I’m privileged to be part of a growing church, and also to be working for the BMMR Parish Trust, putting my faith into action and making a lot of friends along the way!
Aimee Powell
CARE COMMUNITY WORKER
Hi! I’m Aimee. I joined the BMMR Parish Trust after finishing a two-year music BTEC in Crosskeys college. I’m really passionate about helping in the community and particularly mental health, so working for a charity felt like a natural step for me to get used to working with people from different backgrounds in different situations.
I’m a newly saved Christian so getting to work with like-minded people is something I’m very excited about. My main passions are singing, cats and God. I love all the things the CARE project has done and also what it plans to do. It’s great to be able to work somewhere that enables me to help my community and those less fortunate.
I work full time at the BMMR Parish Trust CARE Project and, with Rev. Dean and Siân, organise the running of the project, co-ordinating the volunteers, and planning exciting ventures for the future.
If you or anyone you know is interested in making a big difference on a local level, I’m more than happy to have a chat with you about how to make that happen!
Saffron Powell
ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I’m Saffron! I’m a mum to two beautiful children, and I love spending time with them and my fiancé as a family. We’ve recently got engaged which is very exciting! I’m a fun, easy going and caring individual and am delighted to be part of the team at The BMMR Parish Trust.
I have a passion to learn and a strong work ethic, which is why I’m completing an Apprenticeship in Business Administration with the charity! I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity and I hope to be able to learn lots and also to make a positive difference whilst I’m working here.
It’s good to know that charities such as ours exist. To be part of a small charity that has helped thousands of people in many different ways is fantastic.
In my job, I help Liz, our Administrator, and Rev. Dean with everything to do with both the charity and the churches the charity supports, so my role encompasses a little bit of everything, which I don’t mind at all! I’m also on hand to help Siân and Aimee as and when needed, and I even help out with the running of the CARE Project from time to time.
Get in Touch...
Registered Address:
The Rectory, Michaelston-y-Fedw, Cardiff. CF3 6XS
T: 02921 880 212 | W: www.bmmr.church | E: [email protected]