Annwyl Gyfeillion,

I find that I am avoiding the news programmes these days.  I can’t abide watching the news from Gaza.  It’s not that I don’t care, I care too much – and the scenes of such appalling suffering disquiet and dismay me, not least because there seems to be no end to the cycles of barbarity.  How long, O Lord?

The Bishops of the Church in Wales cannot be insensible to the tragedy that is being played out, and have offered a corporate statement this week.  As we receive those words, which I helped to formulate, I hope that there is not a single member of the Teulu Asa who doesn’t wish to do what they can to contribute to change in Israel/Palestine.  It is an open wound in the life of our human family which has been centuries in the making, as Jewish Israeli and Muslim and Christian Palestinian inflict harm and hurt on one another as they fight for their own security in the twice-promised land.  Only by both being able to find security will peace be found.

Our hearts must go out in pity to all those who have suffered outrage and hideous terror, and those who are subject to the threat of their death and those of their children each day.  We must implore God to lead people by the Spirit into the ways of compassion, and to look beyond mutual offence and injury to seek out a place where all may enjoy security and prosperity.  There is no easy solution.

Please do three things – pray, campaign, and donate.  Pray for a just end to war, write to those in authority asking them to be active in the cause of justice, and make a donation to those organisations which can make a difference in bringing relief, or working for justice.  Details of how to make a donation to assist Christian work and witness in Israel/Palestine will be detailed in the Bishops’ message, as well as a call for a day of prayer and fasting for the Middle East this coming Friday 3 November.  Maybe you could go without one meal in the course of the day to give that time to prayer, and set aside what it would have cost as a donation?  A specially written set of prayers will be issued, that we are also requesting to be used at all our Church services on this coming Sunday 5 November.  Please participate.

Finally, wherever you see an injustice, work quickly for liberation; wherever you see even petty hate or spite, intervene on the side of reconciliation; speak up for the outsider, or the outcasts at your gate.  The solution to the problems of the Middle East may still be beyond us, but we need to practice what we preach, and be reconcilers, healers and enablers in the neighbourhood which God has given us for our work.

Advent Message

As is my usual practice, I am preparing an Advent Message to be disseminated in all our Churches during divine worship on Sunday, 3^rd December.  The message will be published in four formats in the normal way, an English podcast, a Welsh sound recording, and written forms in English and Welsh.  These will be made available in the next couple of weeks.  I place a high priority in being able to speak to the whole of the Teulu Asa directly at the beginning of the Church year, and it is my direction that the message should be used, either in place of a sermon, or in addition to it, during the main service of the day.

Hwyl a Helo

 I have received the resignations of Gill Stanning and Neil Kelly.  Gill has given tremendously of her skill and enthusiasm since she joined us a few years ago, and is retiring; Neil has been appointed to a new parish in the west country of England, after thirteen years of faithful service since his and Deborah’s ordinations in this diocese.  Deborah is also moving south to take up Mental Health Chaplaincy.  We wish all of them well in their respective futures.

I am sorry to report the death of the Revd Gareth Griffiths, former vicar of Llanasa and of Rhuddlan, and send our condolences to his wife, Kathy. Also, the death of Sandra Jones, wife of the Revd Glyn Jones, of the Caereinion Mission Area.  May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

Diary and Events                                    

The diary below includes all known dates for events that all clergy are required to attend as part of their professional commitment, together with opportunities to build up our common life by supporting significant moments for our colleagues.  I must admit some bemusement when clergy communicate to me that they didn’t know a date, or a change of location, when we work hard to ensure that this listing is as up to date and forward looking as possible.  Please ensure that these dates are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.

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

30 January         Clergy Synod, to be held online.

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

19 September   Clergy Synod for all serving clergy, in person.

12 October       Diocesan Conference

Other Notes and Queries

Apprenticeships

At Synod, you were given important information about this new opportunity to work with St Padarn’s, the diocese and Welsh Government to sponsor a young person to obtain a year’s work experience and Christian ministry qualification, which will run in the first instance between September 2024 and August 2025.  Further copies of this material can be obtained from Pam Powell as Director of Ministry.  As a scoping exercise, we need to find out how many apprenticeships we could sponsor next year, and so it is important that all those interested return the “Expression of Interest” forms that we distributed as soon as possible.  So far, there have been no expressions of interest, so please consider what might be possible.

Dementia Prayers

Sally Harper and the Diocesan Spirituality Group have put together a delightful booklet of simple prayers which can be used by those with dementia, or by those ministering to them.  Copies of the booklet are available from stasaphspirituality@cinw.org.uk

Distributable Christmas Cards

Once again, we are going to provide a Christmas Card for mission areas / churches to download, with the ability to customise with local information on Christmas services and send out inviting people to come to church over Christmas. The cards will be available later this month from our website and more information will follow.

The card will be a side of A4 capable of being folded to make one A5 card.  The outside uses a picture from those submitted as entries for my Christmas card competition, a short proclamation of the Good News of Christmas (written by Grace Lomas), and a greeting by myself, with the opposite side of the sheet left for you to duplicate your own information and greetings. Please plan how you might make use of this resource in your Christmas outreach.

Energy Footprint Tool

Access to the EFT will stop at the end of December.  This tool on the website has been underused as we seek to reach the Church in Wales Carbon Neutral Target.  As the month of Advent is a busy period for us all, I’m asking if you could all register and upload the data requested during November, and to get it out of the way.  You will need some data from the 2022 energy bills to complete the application.  Passwords for churches were sent to the clergy earlier in the year.  Ryan Marsh and Ceri Jones at the Diocesan Offices can be contacted to supply this information once again if you have misplaced the email.  In future, entering the data will be required just once a year.

Faculties

It has become apparent that there is a misconception about what is termed ‘like for like’ work to churches and churchyards.  Almost all work to the fabric of a building requires permission although not all work requires a full faculty.  Please make sure permissions are applied for via the Online Faculty System (OFS). Any church officer as well as the priest-in-charge can register for the online faculty scheme. The Diocesan Churches Inspector, Ryan Marsh can also be consulted about how to approach a new project.  Ceri Jones administers the faculty system in the dioceses and can be contacted about registration, and to advise on what type of faculty may be needed and what documentation will be required.

Please do not assume that ‘like for like’ work does not need a Faculty.  Carrying out work using the wrong method or materials can result in the need for it to be re-done professionally and with the correct materials and can sometimes cause more damage than good.  Please use the classification document which is available, before proceeding to carry out any work and make sure that the correct permission is in place.

Pioneer Evangelism Conference 

Date: 27 November 2023

Time: 12midday – 9pm

Location: Vfairs Virtual Platform – Pioneer Evangelism Conference (vfairs.com)

St Padarn’s Institute is hosting a Pioneer Conference for anyone interested from the Church in Wales, which will be held on a virtual platform allowing you to join from anywhere and accessible to all. The day will include inspirational talks from keynote speakers, workshops, opportunities to share ideas and pray about all things Pioneering. The conference is free and you can find all the details, including how to register at Pioneer Evangelism Conference (vfairs.com).

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Our diocesan Mothers’ Union is joining with the worldwide MU movement and 6000 other organisations in 185 countries in focusing on gender-based violence with The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.  These begin on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through until International Human Rights Day on 10 December.  Gender based violence is one of the most widespread violations of human rights and it can affect anyone at any time and it takes many forms. It can be part of a damaging cultural norm or hidden behind closed doors; it can be very difficult to ask for help. I do encourage all churches to keep this important issue in mind and support the 16 Days whether or not they have a MU branch locally.    Information and resources can be found here:  Domestic Abuse Campaigning Resources | Mothers’ Union (mothersunion.org)

My friends, I trust that the Jubilee Year has been going well for you, and I am grateful for your support at events like the Diocesan Conference.  May you be blessed in your own outreach and ministry, and may your Churches know God’s richest blessing on their lives.