Ad Clerum - November 2021

Dygwyl y Meirw ~ All Souls’ Day

Annwyl Gyfeillion,

We are now in the middle of the COP26.  As we have come to expect from such global power summits, there is a large amount of posturing which overlays a great deal of protecting self-interests.  It is difficult to untangle the threads of all that is happening – as a friend of mine used to say: “There are two important questions: What’s going on?  What’s really going on?”  We have to pray that the conference and the threat of catastrophic climate change is taken seriously, and that sufficient steps towards real change will be forthcoming.

Interestingly, last week was One World Week, so we really are in the middle of a fortnight when our horizons are pressed to take on board a universal overview – to understand that the whole of the human race are all just cousins sharing the same small rock circling a star on the outer edge of a galaxy, fragile in the ecology of the universe, and that fundamentally, inescapably, we are all in this together.  We are each responsible for the other, and together responsible for the globe.

In a strange way, All Souls’ Day has a similar message: “Thou only, O God, art immortal, the creator and maker of mankind: and we are mortal formed from the dust of the earth, and unto earth shall we return: for so thou didst ordain, when thou createst us saying: “Dust thou art und unto dust shalt thou return. All we go down to the grave …”. The human family are all mortal, whether prime ministers or paupers, and we all share in the fragility of human nature.

It behoves us therefore to seek to acquire and retain a universal mindframe, the kind which resonates with a sense of common humanity – “Never send to know for whom the bell tolls?  It tolls for thee” as John Donne puts it.  That unity is a Biblical world view, because we are all “adam”, God’s creation and children, and collectively stewards of his Creation, and it is impossible for us to diassociate from the common care of our one home in this life.

Advent Message

As usual, I will be releasing my Advent Message for use on Advent Sunday, and a link for which will be sent out in the next week or two.  The message, which should be used in connection with the main act of worship that Sunday, will be available in the following formats: a video recording in English; an audio recording in English and in Welsh; and written English and Welsh formats.

Please will you ensure this message is used and disseminated at the main act of worship (live or online) on Sunday, 28th November, and it can be used in place of a sermon that day, although I should be grateful if you would secure a wide range of distribution to your members.

Diary and Events

This diary below includes dates for events where all clergy are encouraged to attend, or required to attend as part of their professional commitment, when they are marked with an asterisk.  Please ensure that these dates are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.

07 November            Licensing of Roy Turner, Adam Pawley, Geoffrey Spencer & Jim Thompson in Pool Mission Area (Welshpool) 15.00hr

09 November            Licensing of Gareth Erlandson in Aled Mission Area, St John’s Old Colwyn 1900hr

18 November            MAL training day 10.00hr – 16.00hr at Hope Street, Wrexham.

28 November            Licensing of Martin Batchelor in Mold Mission Area (Mold) 11.00hr

5 December            Licensing of Janet Crane and Christopher Spencer in Aber Morfa Mission Area, St Mary’s Towyn, 1500hr

2022

01 February               Diocesan Clergy Synod (venue to be decided)*

23 March                   MAL training day (venue and format to be decided)

14 April                      Chrism Eucharist and Renewal of Vows (Cathedral)

16 April                      Easter Vigil and Confirmation (Cathedral)

05 June                       Pentecost Confirmation, pm (Cathedral)

14-17 Novr                Residential Clergy School (Swanwick Conference Centre)*

22 Novr                      MAL training day (venue and format to be decided)

In particular, please note the dates of the residential Clergy school next November, as this may require special arrangements for some participants.

Notes and Queries

The Lectionary 2021-22

Details for obtaining lectionaries for the new Church year can be found here.

In addition, Martin Snellgrove continues to provide us with a Concise Almanac for the Sundays of Year.  We are grateful to Martin for providing this useful resource over a number of years, which he now kindly continues for us in retirement.

Renewal of Permissions to Officiate

I thank those who have already responded by returning their forms or indicating they wish to stand back from PTO ministry at the end of the year.  I encourage those who have not already done so, to be in  touch in the next week as time may be needed for individuals to update DBS checks and Safeguarding Training, if these are now due for renewal too. PTO renewal application forms are here in English and Cymraeg for those who still need one.

Certificates of those who have reapplied and are up to date with DBS checks and Safeguarding training will receive their certificates in December ready for the start of the new triennium.

Please be in touch with my chaplain, Michael, at Esgobty if you need any help or advice navigating the renewal process.

Vacancies

Vacancies in Aberconwy and in Estuary and Mountain Mission Areas will be advertised in the near future.  These posts will only be advertised internally, but if you have an interest, or wish to offer a name for consideration, you are asked to be in contact with the Archdeacon of St Asaph.

With my thanks for your continuing partnership in the Gospel, and with my blessing.