The Diocese of Swansea & Brecon

One diocese. Many communities.

Church doesn't only happen on Sundays in one building. Ministry happens in schools and cafés, foodbanks and lunch clubs, hospital chaplaincy and quiet pastoral visits, clergy on call at 2am, prayers said for people who will never know they were prayed for.

The diocese is how we hold that life together. It's how we support, resource and care for the people who are doing that work every single day.

What is a diocese?

A diocese is a network of churches, clergy, lay leaders and ministries under the care of the Bishop. It exists so that no local church has to stand alone.

We share responsibility for worship, mission, safeguarding, finance, training and pastoral care. Some of that is spiritual. Some of it is very practical. All of it matters.

What we do day to day

The diocese supports local ministry areas so they can focus on people, not paperwork.

• Worship and pastoral care — helping ministry areas sustain public worship, baptisms, weddings, funerals and ongoing pastoral support.
• Mission and evangelism — encouraging confident, loving witness to faith in Jesus — not just in church buildings, but in everyday life.
• Training and formation — offering courses, mentoring and resources for lay people and clergy, including welcoming, discipleship and sharing faith.
• Safeguarding — keeping churches safe and accountable, and supporting good practice in caring for children, young people and adults at risk.
• Finance and administration — ministry share, payroll, support for treasurers, and help with governance and compliance.
• Church buildings and faculties — helping churches look after historic buildings, make changes legally, and adapt spaces for mission.
• Schools and chaplaincy — supporting those serving in education, healthcare, workplaces and the wider community.

In plain language: we try to make sure ministry on the ground can actually happen. For a simple guide to diocesan terms, see our Glossary.

How we're organised

Our churches and worshipping communities are grouped into Ministry Areas. Each Ministry Area shares responsibility for mission, ministry and pastoral care across a local region rather than carrying it all in one parish or one building.

The Bishop provides spiritual and pastoral leadership across the whole diocese. Archdeacons and diocesan officers work alongside Ministry Area Leaders, treasurers, volunteers and lay ministers to make sure churches are supported and not left isolated.

Ministry is shared. No one is meant to carry it alone.

Find your local church

Looking for service times, baptism or wedding enquiries, pastoral support, or you just want to speak to someone in person? Start local.

You can search for your nearest church, explore service patterns, find ministry area contacts, and get in touch directly.

Find a church near you →