Annwyl Gyfeillion

Warmest greetings as Autumn begins, and the busyness of the season starts to take hold.

Stipendiary clergy may well remember participating in a Clergy Well Being Survey in February this year. A parallel survey for NSM clergy is currently being generated. Meanwhile, the results are in for the first survey, and it will fall to me to introduce those to Governing Body in a week or so’s time when we meet in Newport. There are no great surprises, but three concerns immediately struck me. First, the clergy report finding themselves under heavy pressure with respect to their ministries. Reasons are given, but the impression is gained that pressures are driving out the joy and fulfilment of ministry. Secondly, clergy report the financial pressures that they face, and thirdly, they speak of change and expectations being thrust upon them with little consultation and less notice.

Analysis has not been done at diocesan level as yet – and strict anonymity has been preserved throughout – but I find myself wondering how well we are all flourishing specifically within the context of the Teulu Asaph. Living out the vocation of God should be joyful and life-enhancing, a deep resonance of fundamental well-being that flows from walking in the way of God’s will. I suppose it is inevitable that life and ministry throw at us challenges which move us out of our comfort zone, and Jesus didn’t promise that ministry and witness would be easy, quite the contrary, but I am sure that we all remember and empathise with the Apostle Paul’s comments in 2 Corinthians 4.7-18.

The Bench are taking the survey very seriously, and are determined to build a culture in the Church in Wales which supports flourishing in ministry, and in which every cleric is affirmed and cared for. Let no one doubt our resolve. However, building such a culture will take all of us – all those in ministry supporting one another, the diocesan leadership, and the congregations.

In order to guide my own thinking and contribution, I will circulate a card to all those attending the synod later this month. It will ask you to respond by filling in “One thing that would assist my well-being in ministry in the Teulu Asaph”. I am telling you this now as I would like you to reflect upon this, and come to synod prepared to submit a considered response.

Sisters and brothers, you are all very precious to me, and the task of flourishing in ministry belongs to all of us. Let us love one another according to the Scriptures, and let us pray that God will illuminate our hearts wit understanding, empathy and practical love.

Clergy Synod, 17 September

I look forward to seeing you all at the Autumn Clergy Synod in just over a fortnight. We will be meeting at St David’s Village Hotel, Ewloe (CH5 3YB) which will be familiar to many and has ample parking. Registration is from 0900hr, with a start at 0930hr. The day will include worship, and the opportunity to discuss items of concern with me as bishop, but the main focus of the day will be on our Church Schools in the diocese, our work in education, and considering the question of how we develop quality links between church, clergy and schools, their staff and parents.

Archdeacon of Wrexham and Interim Archidiaconal Arrangements

We are looking forward to welcoming Emma Whittick at the end of September as our new Archdeacon of Wrexham. Her installation will take place in St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday, 27 September, in the context of Evensong at 1530hr. It would be a good thing if as many clergy as possible could attend to welcome and support Emma, especially the clergy of her archdeaconry.

In the meantime, the temporary provision for archidiaconal care remains in place with Martin Batchelor responsible for Maelor, Mold, Offa and Wrexham Mission Areas , Richard Hainsworth responsible for Alyn, Deeside, Estuary & Mountain, and Rhos a Mynydd Mission Areas, and Tudor Hughes responsible for Caereinion, Cedewain, Pool, Tanat Vyrnwy and Valle Crucis Mission Areas. Archdeacon Andy Grimwood will continue to hold responsibility for St Asaph Archdeaconry as his proper charge.

In addition, former archdeacons Peter Pike and Chris Potter will continue to be available to provide supplementary pastoral care during this transition period. Clergy may approach them directly should they wish to raise matters of pastoral care for themselves which require a greater level of confidentiality, and they would prefer to approach them. This is in addition to the normal list of pastoral chaplains listed in the recent guidance on pastoral care.

Hellins Lecture 2026

 I am pleased to announce that another Hellins Lecture has been arranged for Wednesday 11 November at 7.30pm at St Deiniol’s Church, Hawarden.  The Hellins Lecture is an occasional theological lecture in memory of the late Canon E J W Hellins DD, who endowed a trust to resource theological education in the diocese, which in more recent years has been used to invite a distinguished keynote speaker to the diocese.

This year we are delighted to welcome the Revd Malcolm Guite, renowned poet and Life Fellow and a former Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge.

Malcolm Guite is acclaimed for his books of religious poetry, particularly his sonnets, which often engage with Christian themes, the Psalms, nature, and the liturgical calendar. He has authored acclaimed collections like Sounding the Seasons, The Singing Bowl, and David’s Crown, and is praised for making faith-infused poetry accessible and inspiring.

I am hoping that parking will be available in Church Lane and in Gladstone’s Library, but you may be well advised to share transport where this is possible.

Hwyl a Helo

I am pleased to introduce Andy Harding as the new Managing Chaplain at HMP Berwyn. Andy has recently left Army Chaplaincy, and has been living in Hereford diocese. We welcome him as he joins us.

We congratulate Manon Ceridwen James on her election as Bishop of Bangor. The Confirmation of election is planned for Wednesday, 9 September in the course of Governing Body, and her consecration the following Saturday (12 Sept ). We send Manon our very best wishes and support, and do please hold her in your prayers as she begins this new chapter of distinguished service in Christian ministry and to the Church in Wales.

We also congratulate Jeremy Duff on his appointment as Dean of Emmanuel Theological College. This means that Jill Duff and Jeremy will be moving from their home in Marford, and centring their ministry from within Blackburn diocese. Jill will therefore be stepping back as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the diocese. We wish them both well.

Diary and Events                               

Please read the whole of the diary below carefully. The diary is updated every month to include those fixed dates for events that clergy are required to attend as part of their professional commitment, together with those opportunities to build up our common life by supporting significant moments for our colleagues.

It is very important that each of you make a note of these dates. Please ensure that the dates which are a professional requirement are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.

Where a clash with your own plans comes to your attention, please raise it with Esgobty at the earliest opportunity. I am still occasionally getting excuses late in the day from clergy who don’t seem to have planned ahead, or even to have read this monthly diary, and I am much more amenable when approached early to discuss any potential clashes. Where these matters are professional commitments, I expect you to be present as part of the fulfilment of your duties. I am willing to excuse people for good cause, but it is permission from me and not apology that is required.

Forthcoming events

6 Sept               Licensing of the Very Revd Sarah Rowland Jones, St Deiniol’s Church, Hawarden, 1500hr.

17 Sept             Autumn Clergy Synod 1000hr – 1600hr (St David’s Hotel, Ewloe)

27 Sept             Installation of Emma Whittick as Archdeacon of Wrexham, Cathedral 1530hrs

Later in the year

8 Octr               Diocesan Conference (online business meeting)

10 Octr             Diocesan Conference in person in the Cathedral

18 Octr             The Licensing of Hugh Richardson as Priest-in-Charge and Leader of the Hope Street plant out at St Tudfil’s, Coedpoeth, at 15.30hr at Coedpoeth.

11 Novr            The Hellins Lecture with Malcolm Guite at St Deiniol’s Church, Hawarden, 7.30 pm

Notes and Queries

Retired Clergy Association

All retired clergy and spouses are warmly welcomed to any or all of these events:

• 8 September 8 – Evensong and Afternoon Tea at St Mary’s Church, Chirk, also at 3pm . It would be helpful if you could let Sue Huyton you intend to attend so that she can give the hosts an idea of approximate numbers.
• 26 November – Annual RCA Service in the Cathedral at 11am. Bishop Gregory will be presiding, and the service will be followed by lunch, on this occasion also in the Cathedral, following the pattern established at the Chrism Eucharists. Sue Huyton would be grateful for expressions of interest for the lunch and particular dietary requirements so that she can give a rough idea to the caterers. The speaker following lunch will be Liam Evans-Ford, Executive Director at Theatr Clwyd.

Safeguarding Sunday – 15 November

The theme this year is ‘Love Protects’. The theme comes from 1 Corinthians 13, where we’re told that love protects and helps us understand that our Safeguarding obligations stem not from external pressure as ‘yet another thing to do’ but as an act of love. And of course, love is central to our faith.

Resources for Safeguarding Sunday can be found here:  Theme: Love Protects | and the Provincial Safeguarding Team hopes as many of our churches as possible take part as an indication of their wider commitment to safeguarding.

So, dear friends, let us be joyful, for there is much to celebrate. As you prepare for a busy Autumn, may God bless you in your ministries,

In Christ,