The Archbishop of Canterbury heard three inspiring stories about the local community when he attended a service in Tutshill last Sunday.

Archbishop Justin Welby was at a special Trinity Sunday service organised by the parish of Tidenham and held at Dean Close St John’s School in Tutshill.

It was part of the Big Mission Weekend to the Diocese of Gloucester.

He said: “We gather to worship and celebrate as a community of God

“We gather to celebrate community that is lived out here in the daily life of the parishes of Tidenham, St Briavels with Hewelsfield and Brockweir.”

Vicar of Tidenham, Rev David Treharne, conducted three interviews highlighting the positive effects of faith.

Rosalind Seward’s husband Chris died when their triplets Rose, Miriam and Ruth were a year old.

She said the presence of God, her family and her ‘church family’ helped her through the tragedy.

“We have this gift in the church, it transcends your own age group, area or family – everyone supports each other. 

“That is so distinctive and special and such a blessing

She was joined at the service by her children and her husband Matt who she married in 2020.

Guy Wilson, a member of Chepstow Rotary Club, met Karyna Kulyk when he volunteered at the Ukrainian Community Hub in St Briavels.

Their friendship grew into love and they were married at St Luke’s Church in Tutshill on Tuesday (May 28).

Rev Nicki Bullivant described the parish well-being project that works with organisations such as Sedbury Space, the Salvation Army and Two Rivers Housing “to address the needs of the whole person through community and faith.”

Archbishop Justin said: “Those were three  of the most amazing stories and testimonies to the goodness of God in the darkest of times

I am overwhelmed, it was so beautiful.”

The Archbishop spoke about the Trinity – the idea of God, Son and Holy Spirit – saying it came down to “infinitely practical things.”

He added: “When we do that, the bog-standard, ordinary acts of living, we begin to see God at work among us.”