Ad Clerum

Tachwedd 04 November 2019

Annwyl Gyfeillion,

Do you make an annual Retreat?  It’s an easily overlooked aspect of our care for our own spiritual wellbeing, especially when life and ministry are busy.  The Church in Wales Clergy Terms of Service guidance allows for the inside of a week to be spent on retreat every year, and this is not ever just an extra week of holiday.

I must admit that in the early years of my ministry, I was very careful about arranging such a retreat, usually at Tymawr Convent just outside Monmouth.  Family life got in the way of that arrangement, and since ministry demanded so much of my time and attention away from the family, I felt it was very unfair to ask Clare to allow me another week away from my fair share of engagement with the boys while they were growing up.

Perhaps that is why the sabbatical has been so good for me.  I have realised that in the normal humdrum of ministry, we get – at least, I get – too myopic.  We can end up going from backlog to backlog trying to tick off the more urgent or most demanding, and lose a sense of proportion and value.

One of the exercises that I have undertaken on sabbatical is to try to write something about the focus of my ministry for the remaining years.  I can retire in 2025; I must retire in 2029,by the current rules of the Church in Wales.  What does God really hope for me in these years?  How can I best serve the Diocese of St Asaph?  Well, you may hear something of my thoughts at the next Clergy Synod.

However, I would like to commend to you the stepping back and the surveying of the big picture.  None of us offered ourselves for ordination for any less reason than we knew that God wanted us to be deacons and priests, and that it should be our life’s work.

Well, I’m back from sabbatical, and I still may not fit a proper retreat into 2019 or 2020.  However, I am determined to take Quiet Days in the calendar, and to spend time seeking God’s perspective on what we do.  Advent is a season of reflection – God bless you in your ministry, but help you always to perceive, and to hold on to, all that is crucial in your vocation.

Lambeth Conference Hospitality

Bishops from across the Anglican Communion will be converging on Canterbury from July 22^nd 2020 for the Lambeth Conference.  Prior to this we are hoping to welcome six overseas bishops and their spouses to stay in the diocese from July 15^th until the start of the Conference, and there will be more information about this nearer the time.  I am hoping their stay amongst us will be a mutual learning experience and a key moment of encounter to widen our understanding of the Communion and our theological perspectives.

At this stage I would be pleased to receive expressions of interest from any clergy who would like to open their home for a bishop to stay with them during this time.  Ideally we would like to accommodate the bishops in different parts of the diocese in order for them to discover the rich varieties of community that form the Teulu Asaph.  Please contact Michael at Esgobty if you would like to register your interest.

Hwyl a Helo

After nearly three years as Mission Area Leader of Aled, David Lewis is moving to take up the Mission Area Leader role for Bryn a Mor Mission Area as well as serving as priest for the Llanasa Group of Churches.  David will be licensed on January 19^th

There are changes too in Estuary and Mountain Mission Area in the new year as we welcome Kathryn Evans in February from the Diocese of Birmingham. Kathryn will be based in the Bagillt, Gorsedd, Mostyn and Whitford Group of churches.

However, as one priest joins Estuary and Mountain, we lose another with Aidan Coleman leaving us at the end of January to take up the post of priest-in-charge in the Bro Lliedi Ministry Area in the Diocese of St Davids.  Aidan has served in the diocese since 2005 with dedication and a passion for the social aspects of the gospel. We wish Aidan every blessing in this new ministry.

During October two faithful priests have died, who have offered faithful ministry in this diocese and whose witness is celebrated with thanksgiving:  Canon Paul Varah and the Rev’d Ray Billingsley.  We give praise for their lives and ministries, as well as the inspiring courage they have demonstrated in the challenges of life.  We send our sincerest condolences to Susan and Barbara, and their families. Eternal rest grant unto Paul and Ray, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.

Notes & Queries

Diocesan Calendar of Intercession
After nearly two years as compiler of the Calendar of Intercession, Neil Kelly has asked to step back from this role. As we thank Neil for his efforts, we welcome Ian Day who has volunteered to reprise this role that he did with great efficiency for a number of years before retirement. Ian will take over responsibility with the February edition.

Clergy Spouse Day Conference
Please find attached details of the Cefnogaith Clergy Spouse Day Conference on November 30th at St. Edmund’s Church, Crickhowell.

Diocesan Conference
We thank all the Diocesan Office staff and others for all their hard work in ensuring this year’s conference went so smoothly. We are also grateful to St. Joseph’s High School for hosting us so warmly again this year.

Open Doors Celebration
On November 12th, the Open Doors ministry will be holding an event in the Cathedral to inspire and challenge us about the persecuted church, focusing on how the God is building His kingdom in the most dangerous places to be a Christian, particularly North Korea. Please do support this event if you can. Ticket information is available via the here.

Pennant Melangell – Shepherd’s Hut
The Shrine Church of St Melangell is the only church in the world dedicated to the Saint who lived here in the seventh century and established this place of sanctuary, pilgrimage and healing. It houses the oldest Romanesque shrine in Northern Europe and, thanks to the Jim Cotter Trust, residential accommodation can now be offered at the Centre nearby.

A shepherd’s hut, Cwt y Ceidwad Cotter, is available as a place for sleeping, writing and quiet reflection whilst Beudy Bach, the little cow shed, now serves as a day room. This has a self-catering kitchen and dining area, with a bed settee for those who find steps difficult and a garden in which to enjoy the valley views. The charge is modest to cover costs.

All this is set in the Berwyn, the foothills of Snowdonia, and amongst the ancient workings of the Bronze and Iron Age peoples. Internet access and mobile phone signals are affected by the remote location so this is a peaceful as well as a beautiful place although, from October 1st to 31st January, the local shoot will be bagging pheasant at times in the area. It is a no smoking site and some pilgrims have allergies so pets aren’t able to stay here but Barney – the labradoodle who is the guardian of the Guardian – may well call occasionally!

This is available so that pilgrims can now come to St Melangell’s and stay for a while to have a retreat, reconnect with the simple things of life or benefit from a change of scene if one is needed. If you would like to know more or to book the shepherd’s hut please contact Christine Browne, the Guardian: The St Melangell Centre, Pennant Melangell, Llangynog, Powys, SY10 OHQ Tel: 01691 860408.

It is good to be back among you, and I look forward to renewing our partnership in the Gospel,

In Christ,