Welsh Unitarians ordain two new ministers
This weekend, Welsh Unitarians ordained two new ministers, including the first female Welsh Unitarian minister.
Rev. Melda Grantham was ordained on Saturday at her home congregation of Llwynrhydowen in Pontsian, Ceredigion, having completed her training with Unitarian College. She began training for the ministry after a long and successful career as a registrar, including as the Superintendent Registrar for the County of Ceredigion. Melda is a first language Welsh speaker, lives in the Llandysul area with her husband, dog and horses. When time allows, she enjoys a range of creative pursuits, especially textile art. Although female Unitarian ministers from England and Ireland have served in Welsh Unitarian chapels since the 1920s, Melda is the first “home-grown” female Welsh Unitarian minister.
Rev. Dr. Rory Castle Jones was ordained on Sunday at his home congregation Gellionnen Chapel near Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot, after completing his training with Unitarian College. He began his ministry at Gellionnen in May 2021 as minister-elect and previously worked in Higher Education at Swansea University. Rory lives in the Swansea Valley and is a keen Welsh learner. Outside of work, he enjoys learning languages, long walks in the mountains with his husband and dog, and travel.
If you’re interested in training for the Unitarian ministry, find out more here.