Tom Uttley is taking his journey of faith to new heights, by carrying a 2.5m wooden
cross to the top of Pen-y-fan, the highest point in South Wales.
27 year old Tom lives in the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Ministry Area, and attends St
Illtud’s Church in Llantwit Major. Having served in the British Army since he was 19,
Tom is well used to a physical challenge, but this one is personal.
 
“I’m still on a journey of faith and I struggle with that sometimes,” he reflects, “when it’s
hard to understand the details of scripture and make it work in my life, and I’m someone
who learns by doing and by experiences. By doing this I’m literally walking the way of
the cross, and I hope it will bring me a bit closer to Christ.”
Tom is being sponsored for his epic journey and the money he raises will go to St
Illtud’s, which has a special place in his life.
“My wife Zoe and I were married at the church in June and Zoe was Baptised there on
Easter Day, so it’s become a really special place for us. Since I’ve started coming to
church it’s increased my self awareness and I’ve got another view of myself and the
world. Zoe has helped me beyond words with my faith – she sees the good in
everyone, and that makes me do a lot of self reflection.”
The peak of Pen-y-fan is 886 metres and Tom’s challenge will take place in mid August,
with an early morning start to avoid the heat of the day. He’s climbed up there before
with family and friends (and with ‘work’), but this time it will be a very special personal
journey of faith and experience.
“I went up “The Fan” with my grandad last year and I saw a lad with a cross about to go
up, and it got me thinking. Mind you, his cross was nowhere near as big as the one I’m
taking! Initially I was going to do it for me… but it seemed obvious to do it for the
church. My wife is really good at baking to raise funds for St Illtud’s, and this seemed
like a good way for me to do my bit.”
Fr Edwin Counsell from St Illtud’s Church will be part of the ‘support team’ on the day.
He commented, “Everyone is getting behind Tom for this challenge. The cross he’s
carrying is the same one we use in church on Good Friday, and then decorate with
flowers for Easter Day. It’s heavy, awkward and I always get splinters when I pick it up,
and maybe that’s a reminder that God travels alongside us most powerfully on the
difficult bits of life’s journey.”
“Tom is literally living out the hard yards of his faith journey, and he does so with all of
our love and prayers… and the view from the summit will be fabulous!”
You can support “Tom’s Climb of Faith”  GoFundMe page which will be live Monday, use the QR code below or pay in cash in St Illtuds Church



And you can follow his progress on St Illtud’s Facebook page…. @stilltudschurch

After a very successful Spring fair where we raised over £1200 thanks to the generosity of so many people, we are doing it again! On 1st August we are holding a Summer festival, again at St Illtuds Church from 10-4. There will be free children’s activities, shop, refreshments, Tombola, cake stand and an array of fantastic local crafts people and artists stalls. We will have a fundraising table with Tom and his Faith walk and a special appearance from some owls.  

We are actively in need of some tombola prizes that can help us raise the bar on this fairs fundraising. Do you have something laying around the house that could be regifted or can you pick up a box of chocolates or bubble bath on your food shop? 
We can arrange to collected items,  or you can drop off the afternoon before of morning of the fair. If you want to arrange collection, or check out any of the arrangements for the day, please contact Karen on 07957187654.