All Things Considered

BBC Radio Wales

Religious affairs programme, tackling the thornier issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner

Episoder

  1. 1 dag siden

    Finding Home: 100 Years of Adoption in Wales

    This year marks one hundred years since the Adoption of Children Act first created a legal framework for adoption in England and Wales. Over the last century, thousands of children have found permanent families, and adoption itself has changed enormously as our understanding of childhood, trauma, attachment and family life has evolved. Jonathan and Rebecca Thomas go on a deeply personal journey to meet the people who shaped their own experience of adopting. It all began when Jonathan heard an interview on BBC Radio Wales more than a decade ago. It was with an adoptive father, Arfon Jones, speaking about the joy adoption has brought to his family. Jonathan returns to meet Arfon 14 years later to reflect on the significance of that interview. Rebecca explores the remarkable changes in adoption over the last century with solicitor Becki Thomas, who was herself adopted as a baby. Together they examine how adoption has evolved to a system that places the welfare, identity and life story of the child at its heart. We meet Pat Norbury, who was adopted in the 1950s. Raised in a loving family, Pat nevertheless carried unanswered questions throughout her childhood. She shares how meeting her birth mother brought healing and understanding, and why she feels giving children the chance to learn about their birth story is so vital today. Lastly Rebecca meets foster carer and adoptive parent Sian Edwards, whose Christian faith and commitment to vulnerable children has shaped more than two decades of fostering and adoption. Sian explains how therapeutic parenting has transformed the way she supports children who have experienced early trauma, and shares moving stories of the breakthroughs, trust and relationships that have grown over many years of compassionate care.

    Finding Home: 100 Years of Adoption in Wales

  2. 19. jul.

    Called, Ordained, Burned Out?

    The summer months can be an exciting and daunting time for many new priests and ministers as they embark afresh on their pastoral roles. After years of training, many will have just been ordained sometime around the church’s annual celebration of St Peter at the end of June - the disciple who Jesus described as being his rock and upon which his church will be built. In an All Things Considered programme subtitled “The Call” and first broadcast in June 2021, we explored what attracts individuals offer themselves to work as ministers and priests. Half a decade later we thought we’d catch up with some of them, and discovered – if our attempts to make contact are anything to go by - that burnout and stress are key issues. In addition, some are leaving their chosen denominations altogether soon after being ordained. In the midst of a fast-changing world Rosa Hunt asks whether the church of today and tomorrow has any room for the spiritual kind of builders that Jesus and his disciples (including St Peter) had in mind, rather than ones over-burdened with bureaucratic admin.

    Called, Ordained, Burned Out?

  3. 12. jul.

    Owen and Laura: the diary of our first year

    What happens when a young family leaves a familiar ministry, trusted friends and a settled life to answer what they believe is God's call to a new city? In this special edition of All Things Considered, Owen and Laura share the story of their first year at St Thomas Church, Swansea. Through personal diary recordings made at key moments along the way, they reflect on the challenges and joys of leaving Oxford, settling into a historic church community, and discovering what it means to follow a calling into the unknown. Alongside their reflections, we hear from members of the congregation, church leaders and friends who offer their own perspectives on life at St Thomas. From licensing day and Christmas celebrations to moments of doubt, difficult decisions, funerals, baptisms and unexpected highlights, this programme captures the realities of ministry and family life during a year of significant change. All Things Considered: Diary of Our First Year in Swansea explores what it means to put down new roots, trust God's leading and look to the future with hope.

    Owen and Laura: the diary of our first year

  4. 5. jul.

    What Calls Us? Stories of Faith and Service in Wales

    Azim Ahmed goes on a journey to explore spiritual vocation across our rich faith traditions in Wales. The word vocation originates from the Latin vocatio meaning 'a call' or 'summons', and while it remains closely tied to religious calling, the modern concept includes a broader range of paths and life pursuits. In the programme today, Azim explores this range of callings; from a young woman training for ordination at a Buddhist Retreat Centre in rural Brecon, to a Muslim teacher helping children in the centre of Cardiff to learn about their religion. We’ll hear from a Jewish educator supporting adults to reconnect with Judaism, and from a young Hindu woman at the Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Cardiff who’s supporting her community to prepare for celebrations for the International Day of Yoga.

    What Calls Us? Stories of Faith and Service in Wales

  5. 28. jun.

    Human Composting

    The Law Commission has recently recommended new rules be brought in to allow different funeral methods in England and Wales. They include Terramation also known as Human Composting, where a body is reduced to soil that can be used in a garden. Some view it as being more ecological than burials which take up space and cremation which can release noxious fumes into the air. But others see it as not in being in accordance with their faith and beliefs. Jonathan Thomas discusses the issues around human composting with guests: Kristoffer Hughes, a druid from North Wales, who has gone on to launch Eterrna – which is campaigning to bring Human Composting to the UK. Gwion Hallam from Twm Twm Films who are hoping to document the first Human Composting in Wales. Bishop Peter Brignall, the Roman Catholic bishop of Wrexham. Simon Woodman was a tutor in Biblical Studies at Cardiff Baptist College, and is now minister of Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in the West End of London. Reverend Matt Davis is a Ministry Area Leader for the Church in Wales.

    Human Composting
  • 5 episoder

Om

Religious affairs programme, tackling the thornier issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner

Oplysninger

  • Skaber
    BBC Radio Wales
  • Aktive år
    2006 - 2026
  • Episoder
    5
  • Vurdering
    Ikke anstødeligt
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Websted for serie
    All Things Considered
  • Leverandør

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