Union of Welsh Independents

Christian denomination in Wales

Union of Welsh Independents
Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg
Logo of the Union of Welsh Independents (Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg).
Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Reformed
Polity	Congregationalist
Llywydd (president)	Beti-Wyn James
Secretary General	Dyfrig Rees
Distinct fellowships	Congregational Federation
Associations	World Communion of Reformed Churches, International Congregational Fellowship, Council for World Mission, World Council of Churches Cytûn
Region	Wales
Congregations	400 (2021)
Members	31,000 (2006)
Official website	http://www.annibynwyr.org/

The Union of Welsh Independents (Welsh: Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg) is a Reformed Congregationalist denomination in Wales.

History

St Mary's Church (Anglican) and Capel Sul (Independent) in Kidwelly

Welsh Congregational churches or Independents stand in the Puritan tradition. The first Congregational congregation was founded at Llanfaches, Monmouthshire, in 1639. Early founders were in the Puritan tradition. Later, several churches were founded and formed separate denominations. They embraced different theological positions. Finally, the denomination was founded in 1872 as a voluntary association of churches. It was called Independent because each congregation claims to be under the authority of Christ. Individual congregations cooperate through associations. Now the Union works through six departments: finance, mission, ministry, education, churches, communication. The Union churches have much in common with other free churches in Wales. Ministers can freely move their ministry among them. The Union's council met once a year. The Union is a free and voluntary body, its aims to help to make churches a fellowship that serve Jesus Christ.^[1] The church has high emphasis on preaching the Gospel, and education, empowering church members. The latest strategy is the Welsh Independents Development Programme.^[2]

Statistics

In 2006 the Union of Welsh Independents had 16 associations of churches, 450 congregations, 31,000 members and about 107 ministers. Its worship services are held primarily in the Welsh language.^[3]

According to the latest statistics in 2021 it had over 400 congregations.^[4] The president is Beti-Wyn James.^[5]

Blaen y coed Welsh Independent Church

Interchurch relations

The Union is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches,^[6] the International Congregational Fellowship,^[7] Council for World Mission^[8] and the World Council of Churches.

It has friendly relations with the Congregational Federation.^[9]

References

^ "Union of Welsh Independents – World Council of Churches". www.oikoumene.org. January 1967.
^ www.cwmeurope.org/en/about-cwm-europe/union-of-welsh-independents Archived 31 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine
^ www.annibynwyr.org/aboutus/index.html Archived 13 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg". annibynwyr.org. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
^ "Union of Welsh Independents welcomes Beti Wyn as the new President". Twitter (in Welsh).
^ "Member Churches :: World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)". Archived from the original on 12 April 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
^ "Jewelry Reviews". www.intercong.org.
^ www.cwmission.org/churches/europe-region/ Archived 24 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
^ "The Congregational Federation in Wales – what is it?". www.cfwales.org.uk.

External links

Union of Wales Independents official site

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Christianity in the United Kingdom

History of Christianity in Britain

England

Eastern Christianity

Eastern Orthodox	Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland (Antioch) Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Constantinople) Russian Orthodox Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR) Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow) Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Britain and Scandinavia
Oriental Orthodox	Armenian Apostolic Church British Orthodox Church^[a] Coptic Orthodox Church Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Catholic	Syro-Malabar Church Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Western Christianity

Proto-Protestant

Hussite	Moravian Church

United	United Reformed Church
Presbyterian (Main article)	Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales International Presbyterian Church
Congregationalist	Congregational Federation Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
Calvinistic Methodists	Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion

Communion	Church of England^[b]
Continuing	Diocese of the United Kingdom (ACC) Church of England (Continuing)
Realignment	Anglican Mission in England
Other	Free Church of England Open Episcopal Church

Bruderhof Communities

General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

Plymouth
Brethren

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Holiness	Calvary Church of God in Christ Church of God of Prophecy New Testament Church of God Redeemed Christian Church of God
Finished Work	Apostolic Church Assemblies of God Elim Pentecostal Church The Church of Pentecost

Neo-charismatic

Other

Quakers

Stone–Campbell	Churches of Christ International Churches of Christ
Latter Day Saint/ Mormon	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England
Irvingism	Catholic Apostolic Church New Apostolic Church

^ Not in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox Churches
^ ^a ^b Part of the Porvoo Communion

Scotland

Eastern Christianity

Eastern Orthodox	Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Constantinople) Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow)
Oriental Orthodox	British Orthodox Church^[a] Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Catholic	Syro-Malabar Church Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Western Christianity

United	United Reformed Church
Presbyterian	Associated Presbyterian Churches Church of Scotland Free Church of Scotland Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland International Presbyterian Church Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland United Free Church of Scotland
Congregationalist	Congregational Federation Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

Scottish Episcopal Church^[b]

General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

Baptist Union of Scotland

Plymouth
Brethren

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Holiness	Redeemed Christian Church of God
Finished Work	Apostolic Church Assemblies of God Elim Pentecostal Church

Neo-charismatic

Other

Quakers

Stone–Campbell	Churches of Christ International Churches of Christ
Latter Day Saint/ Mormon	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland
Irvingism	Catholic Apostolic Church New Apostolic Church

^ Not in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox Churches
^ ^a ^b Part of the Porvoo Communion

Northern Ireland

Eastern Christianity

Eastern Orthodox	Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland (Antioch) Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Constantinople) Russian Orthodox Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR) Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow)

Western Christianity

Roman Catholic Church

Proto-Protestant

Hussite	Moravian Church

Lutheran Church in Ireland

Presbyterian	Evangelical Presbyterian Church Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster Presbyterian Church in Ireland Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland
Congregationalist	Congregational Union of Ireland

Church of Ireland^[a]

Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland

Plymouth
Brethren

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Neo-charismatic

Vineyard

Other

Stone–Campbell	Churches of Christ International Churches of Christ
Latter Day Saint/ Mormon	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern Ireland
Irvingism	New Apostolic Church

^ Part of the Porvoo Communion

Wales

Eastern Christianity

Eastern Orthodox	Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain (Constantinople) Russian Orthodox Diocese of Great Britain and Western Europe (ROCOR) Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow)
Oriental Orthodox	British Orthodox Church^[a] Coptic Orthodox Church Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Catholic	Syro-Malabar Church Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Western Christianity

Evangelical Lutheran Church of England

Presbyterian	Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales
Congregationalist	Congregational Federation Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches Union of Welsh Independents
Methodist	Presbyterian Church of Wales

Church in Wales^[b]

General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

Plymouth
Brethren

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Other

Stone–Campbell	Churches of Christ International Churches of Christ
Latter Day Saint/ Mormon	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wales
Irvingism	New Apostolic Church

^ Not in communion with the other Oriental Orthodox Churches
^ Part of the Porvoo Communion

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