Ad Clerum

1af o Hydref 2020 October 1st

Annwyl Gyfeillion,

The Book of the Preacher, better known to us as Ecclesiastes, is a puzzle set in the middle of the Old Testament, which stands out because its message appears to be in contrast to the Salvation History reported in the rest of the Testament of God’s revelation of himself to the people of Israel.  Belief in a saving God appears to be replaced in the teaching of the preacher with a sort of austere weariness with the world, and all that it throws at us.  It might be well suited to an extended period of lockdown.

However, I take comfort in the message of Chapter 3, which stresses that all things have their place in life.  There will be sadness and joy, brokenness and healing, time to talk and time to keep silence.  I suppose that the point is that life goes on.  Tribulation occurs, but it will pass.  Moments of joy will be clouded by sadness, but there will be joy again in the future.  Our job is to keep faith with God, and discover the light and grace of God which shines through the cracks.

Although they’ve all happened in new ways, remarkably we’ve kept going as a Church through lockdown.  We have lived into Ecclesiastes.  Pastoral care has been effective, the worship of God has been expressed in new ways.  Standing Committee has met, synods have been held, ordinations have taken place.  On one level, we’ve continued to do what we do.  On another level, it has taken extraordinary ingenuity and stamina.  We’ve been finding extraordinary ways to do the ordinary.  And God keeps faith with us.  As Paul said to the Galatians:  “Let us not grow weary while doing good. For in His own time, if we do not lose heart, we will reap a harvest.” (Galatians 6.9)

As I said at the synods, I am deeply grateful to all the laity and clergy of the diocese for your faithfulness during this period, and that includes the outstanding work of the diocesan office team, as they have laboured without ceasing to ensure that diocesan work goes forward, and that our Mission Areas are supported.  My friends, thank you for all that you have done; continue to keep the faith now, and let us see God give the growth.

The markers of our continuing life

 In recent weeks, the DBF has met and approved a balanced budget for 2021, which keeps overall Mission Area share at current levels.  This year, our finances have remarkably turned out well, and because mission areas have been resolute, the RB has been generous, and spending has been limited, the accounts are likely to show a surplus.  The DBF has encouraged the Bishop’s Staff to find creative ways to support mission in 2021 with this money.  The Standing Committee has met, and celebrated the good work which is being done, such as food clubs, hygiene hampers and support for youth and schools worship amongst many examples.  I much enjoyed the Archdeaconry Synods, and the genuine excitement there was in bringing the clergy together, including thinking up together new and creative ways to approach Christmas.  We celebrated as well the ministries of eighteen new clergy, who have joined our family, while at the Lay Ministers Conference last Saturday, I admitted one reader new to the diocese.

Next week, God willing, we shall hold an Ordination at which nine new priests will be ordained for the Teulu Asaph.  Once again, we have to ordain without the diocesan family being there to support the candidates in the Cathedral itself, but the service will be live streamed, and I hope that you will make every effort to support it by your virtual presence and prayers.  And do please hold Gareth Erlandson, Sally Harper, Andy and Rachel Kitchen, Simon Piercy, Chris Spencer, Sue Storey, Carol Thomas, James Tout, and Canon Richard Peers, who will be leading their retreat, in your prayers in this coming week.

Then, on a week on Saturday, we shall be holding the Diocesan Conference by Zoom.  It will be limited to a half day, but I am delighted that we shall be joined by the Bishop of Islington, Ric Thorpe, as we consider “2020: The Unexpected Journey” as our theme.

We move forward in faith, but need to be ready to face the challenges ahead.  At the synods last week, I updated you on the progress of the Mission Area Reviews.  The diocesan team look forward to working with you all to ensure that the diocese will be in good shape to tackle whatever the future brings, under God.  There is a time to take stock, and a time to move forward.

Hwyl a Helo

Canon Nia Morris has decided to stand back as Mission Area Leader in Cedewain, so I am delighted to welcome Mrs Suzanne Wardell to the role.  Nia has worked incredibly hard to bring the Mission Area of Cedewain together, but now wishes to focus on the renovation programme for All Saints’, Newtown, and Suzanne takes over having served with enthusiasm and dedication as the Mission Area Administrator.

Canon Quentin Bellamy has indicated to me that he wishes to retire from stipendiary ministry.  He will finish at the end of the year.  We will miss Quentin’s ebullient and joyful ministry, and Quentin has laboured with faithfulness and distinction in the diocese throughout his ministry.  We wish him well for the next chapter of his life.  Ivor Hawkins is also retiring from licensed ministry in order to find more time for his family, having been faithful in his ministry in Caereinion, and we extend our thanks to both these priests, while trusting that we shall continue to benefit from their ministry as priests with Permission to Officiate.

Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic 2020

 As a diocesan family we continue to be tremendously proud of all of the family who have risen to the challenge of coronavirus pandemic and played a vital role in sustaining the life of our communities and churches.  Throughout the diocese there have been many examples of selfless dedication, compassionate care and creative practical action.

A certificate to acknowledge contributions from across the diocese which merit our particular gratitude and appreciation is still available from Esgobty upon nomination by the Mission Area Leader.

Consent for broadcasting services online via Zoom, Facebook, Youtube or Vimeo or other online platform

Now that churches have re-opened, some are conducting services with congregations, which are then being live streamed or recorded for later. In such a situation it is vital that safeguarding issues are considered.   On arrival, members of the congregation should be informed that the service is being shown (either live or later) on social media and given the opportunity not to be visible on camera.  Parental consent will be required for all children and young people at the service if they are shown on camera. The following guidelines are in place:

• Church in Wales Policy – This has advice on recording children and young people.  Section 9 of the safeguarding policy as well as associated consent form (form 4) is specific to images and filming of children and contains consent from parents and from children (if age appropriate):
• Diocesan Guidance – there is Diocesan Guidance on our website.  This includes Children and Youth Work Guidelines, Worship Guidelines and online guidelines.
• Provincial Zoom Guidelines – this on the Church in Wales website and covers general good practice.

Please consider whether it is appropriate or necessary and ensure proper consent is in place for the live streaming or recording of your congregation (especially any children and young people) for social media.

Bereavement During Covid-19

Cardiff University and the University of Bristol are conducting a survey looking at the grief experiences and support needs of people bereaved during the pandemic. By conducting this survey they hope to identify ways of improving the care provided at the end of life and during bereavement. If you have lost a loved one to COVID-19 or another cause of death during the pandemic, and would like to share your experience in their survey, please click. Further information is available here.

Diocesan Online Directory

The Diocesan Directory is now available online to all clergy, licensed lay ministers, those with permission to officiate, Mission Area office holders and church wardens. You can access the content using the email address you have shared with the diocese. The information held in the directory is not publicly available and is accessible only to those who appear in it. Access to the directory is via the diocesan website:  with a link at the top right of every page (please ensure you click on diocesan directory, not clergy login).  The directory is held on a separate website, so it will open in a new browser window. There is a link on the first page of the directory to enable you to register and create a secure password. The directory is updated nightly from the diocesan database so if office holders change, the directory will always be up to date.  If you need to make changes to the information held on the diocesan database or directory, please email details to Sian Charlesworth.  If you have any questions about the online directory, please email Karen Maurice.

Thank you again for your patient endurance and faithfulness in our partnership in the Gospel, may God bless us and renew us,

In Christ,