Annwyl Gyfeillion,

Advent is a season of anticipation – the anticipation of Christmas, and the hope of celebrating once again the Incarnation of Our Lord, and, correctly celebrated, an anticipation also of the end of time, and our ultimate rendezvous with God and the coming of His Kingdom.

Despite all that might distract us, and Omicron is a growing shadow on the horizon, our duty is to encourage people to focus upon the figure of Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.  Advent is a time to focus both on Incarnation and Parousia, the first coming of Our Lord in humility, and the second coming of Our Lord in triumph.  Both of these have something to teach us.  The coming of Jesus in humility in Bethlehem is a reminder that God is committed to the small things, that God chooses to make his home amongst the humble and insignificant, and who thereby gives all things significance and worth.

The second coming is a reminder that our ultimate destiny is in God’s hands, and that whatever transpires in this world, there is a faithfulness and a love which transcends the limitations of time and space, and allows us to point beyond whatever life throws at us towards an eternal hope.  “In the darkness, light” is a profoundly important message for this time, and I hope that you will be blessed in your preparations for worship, and preaching and proclamation in the two holy seasons of Advent and Christmas this year.

Communion in Both Kinds

As Christmas approaches, the bishops are very mindful that Anglican practice and teaching is that “the cup of the Lord is not to be denied to lay people” (Article 30).  We therefore regularly review the current prohibition on sharing the common cup, which has been imposed for severely urgent health reasons only, and at first, at the direction of the Welsh Government.  We recently gave permission for communion in both kinds by intinction, where the administration was by the priest or minister of communion alone, but we are aware that this is not really the best of solutions.

However, we do not feel that the current health situation allows the restoration of the common cup, and we continue to direct that the use of individual communion cups is not permitted.  This is for reasons of reverent disposal after Communion as much as any other reason, but we are persuaded that the introduction of individual cups would require a change to canon law at present.

We therefore ask you to bear with us in the current discipline.  We undertake to review this once again in the new year.

Hwyl a Helo

I am pleased to announce that appointment of Martin Pritchard to a full-time Priest-in-Charge role in Denbigh Mission Area, where Martin will be responsible for mission and community engagement.  Congratulations also go to Andrea Jones on her appointment as the new Mission Area Leader for Borderlands.  Simon Piercy will also join the Borderlands team early in the new year, where he will augment the team at a time when a number of the clergy have been deployed elsewhere in the diocese.

Clergy Synod

The diocesan Synod for all licensed clergy is to be held on Tuesday, 1 February, between 10am and 4pm, and will be by Zoom.  The theme of the Synod is “Proclamation” from the four Ps of LyCiG, and we have an impression group of speakers including John Bell of the Iona Community and Bishop Philip North, the Bishop of Burnley.  Look out for more details in the January Ad Clerum, but do ensure that the date is firmly booked in your diaries at this point.  Once again, anyone wishing for permission to be absent should email me at the earliest opportunity.

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.

5^th December            Licensing of Janet Crane and Christopher Spencer in Aber Morfa Mission Area, St        Mary’s Towyn, 1430hr. (Please note earlier start time.)

2022

30 January              Commissioning of the extended Valle Crucis Mission Area (St Collen’s, Llangollen)  11.00hr

Confirmation for Tanat-Vyrnwy MA (St. Myllin’s Church, Llanfyllin)  15.00hr

01 February               Diocesan Clergy Synod *(via Zoom)

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 Nov               Residential Clergy School (Swanwick Conference Centre)*

22 Nov                      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

New Book

The Reverend Neil Fairlamb, formerly of Beaumaris, has recently published an interesting new book entitled Wales and the Incorporated Church Building Society 1818 -1982.  ISBN 978-1-80049-66.  For more information about this or his other publications, please contact him at: All Saints’ Vicarage, Tilford, Surrey, GU10 2DA

Renewal of Permissions to Officiate

Thank you to those clerics who have been in touch with my office in recent weeks to initiate the renewal of their Permission to Officiate or to indicate that they now wish to stand back from public ministry at this juncture.

New certificates will be sent out before Christmas to those who have reapplied and have up to date Disclosure records and Safeguarding Training.  New certificates for those currently updating either or both of these requirements will follow as soon as those processes have been completed.

There are approximately thirty clerics who have not been in touch so far for whom my Permission to Officiate will lapse at the end of this year.  Late applications are always welcome to reinstate PTO, but all clerics should be aware that they should not be conducting public worship from January 1^st unless they are in receipt of a new certificate with an expiry date of December 31^st, 2024.  Early in the new year, I will be circulating a list to Mission Area Leaders confirming the new roll of those clerics who have PTO and can be invited to officiate.

Christmas Closure

Esgobty Office will close at lunchtime on Wednesday, 22^nd December for the Christmas holidays, and reopen at 0900hr on Tuesday, 4^th January.  Anyone needing to consult on urgent matters is advised to contact their archdeacon in the first instance, but emails to Esgobty will be monitored intermittently.

With my thanks for all your ministry, and the work of witness that you will give in this season, and with my blessing and good wishes for the end of the year,  In Christ,