The Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) welcomed Elinor Wyn Reynolds as its newly appointed general secretary, effective 1 September 2025. Reynolds succeeds Rev. Dyfrig Rees who had served in the role since 2018.
Established in 1871 during a period of growth and expansion among the Welsh Congregational churches, the UWI is a voluntary union of over 400 churches mainly located in Wales, United Kingdom.
Breaking glass ceilings
A member of Priordy Church in Carmarthen, Wales, United Kingdom, Reynolds is the first layperson to be appointed to the role in the past century. She is also the first woman to become general secretary in the history of UWI.
“It is an exciting privilege to be elected the general secretary of the Union of Welsh Independents. I am looking forward eagerly to this next period. Together we have work to do,” declared Reynolds upon her successful election into office – a process that first saw her nominated by UWI district associations, followed by ballots that were cast by the union’s churches.
Before being appointed to the role, Reynolds had worked for eight years as UWI’s publications officer, producing and editing content for the UWI weekly newspaper, Y Tyst (The Witness).
She also had a hand in producing the quarterly publication, Union Matters, a collection of articles from the UWI which informs congregations on church matters, while working on related publications that included the annual UWI yearbook and associative digital content, including the Church of the Month series on the UWI website.
With her rich background in broadcasting, Reynolds has put her experience in the service of UWI through storytelling and podcast media. Her work as an interviewer for two seasons on the series “Y Cwmni Bach” (The Small Company) has seen her engage in deep conversations with a variety of guests including renowned authors, politicians, music icons, poets, and peacemakers about their lives and faiths.
