Theology Section's Annual Lecture

On the 10th September, the Theology Section of the University of Wales Alumni Association held their annual lecture at the Morlan Centre in Aberystwyth.

The guest lecturer this year was The Reverend John Owain ap Ifor Jones, Minister at the United Church of Bute, Rothesay, who delivered a lecture entitled "Why now?” The Flourishing of Nationalism and the Decline of the Church in Scotland since 1963.

Here, the Reverend Dr Elwyn Richards, Section Secretary, gives a report on the evening:

The guest lecturer for the University of Wales Alumni Association Theology Section’s Annual Lecture was the Reverend John Owain ab Ifor Jones, MA, BD, FSA, Minister at the United Church of Bute, Rothesay. Originally from Rhyl, Owain was raised in Caernarfon and studied theology at Edinburgh. After a period as a Congregationalist Minister at Tywyn, Merionethshire in the mid-eighties, he returned to Scotland where he served in a number of parishes.

The title of his lecture, held at the Morlan Centre, Aberystwyth was, "Why now?” The Flourishing of Nationalism and the Decline of the Church in Scotland since 1963. A large audience was in attendance to hear the lecture in the run-up to the imminent Referendum on independence in Scotland. The delivery was very entertaining, scholarly and enthusiastic, and discussed in detail the Church of Scotland’s influence on the mindset of the nation and the sociological significance of this.

He was warmly thanked by Professor Euros Wyn Jones, editor of Diwinyddiaeth. The lecture will appear in issue 2015 of the journal and a copy can be obtained by contacting the editor, Professor Euros Wyn Jones, Y Coleg Gwyn, Ffordd Ffriddoedd, Bangor LL57 2EH.