Annwyl Gyfeillion,

On September 24th this year, I will celebrate, God willing, the fortieth anniversary of my ordination to the diaconate. It is hard to know where the years have gone, and the perspectives I had as a new deacon are probably very different from my perspectives now. However, it is apparent to me that the Church has changed enormously through those decades, with recognition of new attitudes towards divorce, the ordination of women, and same-sex partnerships. There’s also been a shift in my own attitudes, if I’m honest.

Some would link this softening of the Church’s discipline as a contributory reason for the decline that the Church has faced over the same period, but that, I think, would be unfair. I was asked a little while ago whether I thought that I was any holier than I was forty years ago. My answer was that in some ways I wasn’t sure – my dogmatic ardour for my beliefs has mellowed, and my prayer life isn’t quite as disciplined as it should be – again being honest. But I do hope that I have learned more about God’s “hesed”, as the Hebrew Old Testament describes it, God’s faithful and loving mercy.

God looks with love on his creation, and the eyes of Jesus looked with love on all those whom he encountered. Love means acceptance, not without the challenge of transformation and growth into holiness, but with a non-judgmentalism that enables space for the Holy Spirit to welcome, heal and stimulate us in the long journey towards God’s throne that we’re all invited to make, or to continue.
I am trying to make this quality of loving mercy the centre of my ministry. If you’ve felt the rough edge of my actions recently, you may think that’s a joke, but it needs to be the obvious quality of all Christians, and we need all to strive for this in ministry. I am particularly fond of a prayer of Thomas á Kempis, “Grant, Lord, that I may make a real beginning today, for what I have done so far is hardly anything.” I will be pondering these things on 24th September.

Diocesan Conference, 12 and 14 October

The 2023 Diocesan Conference in October will take a different format. The business elements of the conference will be online, while we will look at our diocesan life and vision in person a few days later. An initial mailing has now been sent out, but please remember that the conference is a professional commitment for all clergy, unless permission for absence has been sought from me directly.

• • Thursday 12 October: 7pm – 9pm: This will be an online meeting (via Zoom) to conduct the business of the diocesan conference. It will include items such as the budget, accounts and any amendments to the diocesan constitution.
  • Saturday 14 October: 2pm – 4pm at the Cathedral. This will include worship, keynote addresses and speakers and will conclude with refreshments. Among the speakers this year will be the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Andrew John, who will be speaking about the commitment of the Church in Wales to support evangelism.

The conference pages of the website at https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/diocesan-conference/ are being updated with further information.

Diary and Events

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

September

10 Valle Crucis MA Confirmation, Llandderfel, 1530hr.

17 Commissioning of Jayne Coxall as MAL of Aber-Morfa & welcoming of Helen Gheorghiu Gould and Janet Crane to their new ministries in Rhyl, at St Thomas’, Rhyl. 1000hr.

Licensing of Helen Dawson as Associate Priest in Pool Mission Area, St Mary’s, Welshpool, 1545hr.

23 Vocations Day, Southsea

24 Licensing of Diana Greenfield as a Priest-in-charge in the Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area at St Michael’s, Efenechtyd, at 1600hr

27 & 30 Michaelmas Ember Days (The Michaelmas edition of the Ember leaflet is here in Welsh and English.)

October

12 Diocesan Conference business meeting on Zoom 1900-2100hrs

14 Diocesan Conference worship & addresses, Cathedral, 1400-1600hr

November

21 MAL training day

26 Ordination of Wendy Gardner to the Diaconate, All Saints’, Newtown, 1430hr

December

6 St Nicholas Day Confirmation, Cathedral, 1900hr

13, 15 & 16 Advent Ember Days

Dates for 2024

28 March Chrism Eucharist, Cathedral, 1100hr

25 May AGM and Licensing of Lay Ministers, Cathedral, 1200hrs

29 June Petertide Ordination (Deacons and Priests), Cathedral, 1000hr

12 October Diocesan Conference

Hwyl a Helo

The first news of which to make you aware is that Archdeacon Barry has indicated to me his intention to retire as Archdeacon of Montgomery in August next year. Barry joined us five years ago as archdeacon, and we will be sad to lose him, although we hope that a full and happy retirement awaits him and Yvonne. There will be opportunities next summer to say thank you formally and to wish Barry and Yvonne every blessing for the future. We are planning towards a recruitment process for the new Archdeacon in April and May next year.

I am pleased to say that Helen Dawson has successfully completed her curacy and becomes Associate Priest in Pool Mission Area, rooted at the Welshpool Hub Church. Archdeacon Barry will administer my licence on Sunday 17 September.

Since the retirement of Clive Hughes we have been without a Diocesan Advisor on Archives but I am pleased to report that over the summer Dr Elizabeth Parffitt has accepted my invitation to take up this role for us. It is good to welcome Liz who brings a wealth of experience. She can be contacted on 0789 6330858 / eaparfitt17@gmail.com if you have any issues about which you need advice.

I am delighted to announce the award of the Order of St Asaph to two more faithful servants of the diocese. John Liston has been making an outstanding contribution to broadcasting diocesan and cathedral services as well as supporting the communications work of the diocese. Glyn Williams has made an outstanding contribution to diocesan life the Head of one of our schools, as a Bishop’s Visitor and Chair of the Diocesan Board of Statutory Education. It is good to honour John and Glyn in this way and they will receive the Order during the Diocesan Conference in the Cathedral on Saturday 14 October.

We were sorry to learn of the deaths over the summer of the following priests and we give thanks for their lives and ministries:

• • The Revd Terence Lackey who served in Wrexham, Gwersyllt and Trefnant;
  • Canon David Pryce Morris who will be remembered particularly for his long ministry on Deeside at Connah’s Quay and then Shotton;
  • Canon David Jenkins, former Vicar of Llanrhôs and Area Dean of Llanrwst

May the Lord grant them rest from their labours, and comfort and consolation for those who mourn their loss.

Notes and Queries

Concise Almanac 2023-24 Year B

We are grateful as ever to Canon Martin Snellgrove for his work each year in providing us with a user-friendly Concise Almanac. Those who appreciate this simplified form of the lectionary will find the edition for the next liturgical year here.

Archdeacons Archdeacon Andy continues his sabbatical until the beginning of October. Please contact one of the other archdeacons about St Asaph archdeaconry matters when needed.

Asaph 1450

We are now moving towards the close of our Year of Jubilee, and I hope that you have availed yourself of the opportunity to deepen your appreciation of your faith and of the great God who leads us into the future. I’ve received splendid reports of the Shared Ministry Team retreats that have been happening, and of other celebrations. You will remember that we suggested that all those able should find the inside of a week during the Kingdom season to put aside some time for Re-Creation Days, when we could give ourselves to activities that revive the soul and sharpen our ministry. I myself have put 1-3 November, and the 5 and 6 down as my five creative days. I’m not entirely sure how I’ll spend them yet, but I am keeping them firmly in the diary, without normal commitments, to ensure a time of refreshment and re-energising. Archdeacon Barry used July in this way, and Archdeacon Andy has been taking a short sabbatical in August and September. I hope that you will manage something appropriate.www.bai.org.uk/exhibition-2023

Exhibition of Icons

For those interested, the British Association of Iconographers is holding an exhibition at Liverpool Parish Church (L2 8TZ) between 29 September and 1 October 9am- 5pm. Admission is free and all are welcome. More details can be found at www.bai.org.uk/exhibition-2023 .

I look forward to seeing you all at Synods and Conference in the coming weeks, and thank you once again for all that you give to the work of the Kingdom and in support of the life of this diocese. May you know the Lord’s blessing and upholding at this time.