“Cross to bear: Tom’s climb of faith”

Heavy lifting for a higher purpose

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!”