The Bishop of Bangor – the Right Reverend Andy John has announced the appointment of the Reverend Miriam Beecroft as Ministry Area Leader of the Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy Ministry Area, serving the churches and communities of the Dyfi Valley around Machynlleth, Cemaes, Corris, Darowen, Llanbrynmair, Llanwrin and Mallwyd.
Miriam is presently Curate in the Bro Ardudwy Ministry Area, serving the churches and communities around Barmouth and Harlech.
Originally from Formby near Liverpool, Miriam came to study at the university in Aberystwyth in 2004, and has been in Wales ever since. She has ministered as a lay person in Aberystwyth and Lisvane, Cardiff. She trained for 2 years at St. Michael’s College in Llandaff before her ordination in Bangor Cathedral in 2015.
Miriam is married to Darren and they have a young daughter, Anwen, and a second child on the way!
The Bishop of Bangor – the Right Reverend Andy John – said, “It is always a pleasure to be alongside new ordained clergy on their ministry pilgrimmage.
Miriam has the potential to be an excellent Ministry Area Leader and Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy are fortunate to be gaining an inspirational young cleric to lead the Ministry Team there and to build on the ministries of Canon Kath Rogers and the Rev Roland Barnes.
I congratulate Miriam and Darren on the news of their second child. Please do pray for Miriam, Darren and Anwen, as well as the people and teams in Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy and Bro Ardudwy.”
Looking forward to her move, Miriam said “Working alongside Canon Beth Bailey in Bro Ardudwy has been an excellent training ground for me to get to grips with how to lead a ministry area, and I am grateful to all the churches there for making me so welcome as their curate.
Now, we are excited as a family to be moving to the Machynlleth area. I am looking forward to working with the ministry team and people of Bro Cyfeiliog & Mawddwy to discern how we may best worship God, grow His Church and love His world together in these communities.”
Canon Beth Bailey, the Ministry Area Leader of Bro Ardudwy, who has been overseeing Miriam’s formation as a vicar since her ordination, said, “It has been a joy to share ministry with Miriam. The churches and communities of Bro Ardudwy have been greatly blessed by her many gifts: especially her ability to communicate the gospel in a way that is always clear, challenging and real, alongside her intelligence, integrity, gentle sense of fun, and her warm, pastoral heart.
Miriam has strengthened our links with families and children through her imaginative ministry in our schools, clubs and outreach events, but, at the same time, is also greatly loved by the older members of our communities.
As a young minister, Miriam has brought us valuable insights into the challenges of mission and evangelism, and, using her gifts as a musician and singer, has enabled us to explore other, meaningful ways of worshipping, alongside the traditional.
The churches of Bro Ardudwy will be very sad to see Miriam leave. However, we are confident that her gentle style of leadership, her willingness to listen and learn, and, most importantly, her deep desire to serve the Lord and to share his love with others, will bring equal blessing to the people of Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy.
We will be praying for Miriam, Darren and Anwen as they settle into their new ministry.”
A special service to mark the beginning of Miriam’s new ministry will be held at 7pm on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 10, in St. Peter’s Church, Machynlleth.
