Annwyl Gyfeillion

 It may seem strange for me to be sending you an Ad Clerum in August, as this is the first that I’ve sent in 16 years.  It is, quite simply, because there are several appointments and administrative matters which need announcing, and it would be too late to send out formal notification in the autumn.  I would also like to draw your attention to certain events in the diary, which has some significant additions to it.  Thirdly, it may seem strange to be marking the feast day of a Northumbrian saint here in Wales, but Oswald, of course, was martyred at Croes Oswallt, or Oswestry, which was, for many centuries, part of this diocese.  It reminds us that holiness is open to all manner of persons, including warrior kings, when we can bear witness to God’s kingship in and over our work, whatever that may be.

Hwyl a Helo

I am pleased to announce the following appointments:

Huw Bryant, currently Mission Area Leader in Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area, has been appointed as a priest-in-charge in the Aberconwy Mission Area, rooted in the communities of Llanrwst, Eglwysbach and Glan Conwy. Huw will be licensed in the autumn, on a date yet to be confirmed.

Vicki Burrows, currently a Chaplain at Hereford Cathedral, is to be the new Mission Area Leader in Alyn Mission Area, as Huw Butler hands over the reins, rooted in the communities of Gresford and Holt.  Vicki served with distinction in the Diocese of Llandaff prior to her move to Hereford, and we’re delighted to welcome her to the Teulu Asaph.  Vicki will be licensed and commissioned in the autumn.

Dan Morgan, currently Assistant Curate in the Mold Mission Hub, has been appointed as a priest-in-charge in the Denbigh Mission Area, rooted in St Mary’s and St Marcella’s churches, and holding responsibility for mission and outreach, and

Samantha Quilty, currently a hospital chaplain, and associate priest on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, is also taking up appointment as a priest-in-charge in the Denbigh Mission Area, rooted in the rural churches, and taking responsibility for pastoral care.

I am also pleased to say that Dan Stroud will become Convenor of the Diocesan Group for Deliverance Ministry.  Clergy wishing to engage the assistance of any member of the Deliverance team should contact Esgobty in the first instance.

We say farewell to those many faithful servants of the Lord, and of the diocese, who retire or move to new ministries over the Summer, including Barry Wilson, Jason Bray, Tudor Hughes, Sue Huyton and Martin Pritchard, thanking God for all the enrichment they brought to our common life.

New Archdeacon, new Archdeaconries

We will be welcoming Gerwyn Capon as Archdeacon of Montgomery at Evensong on Sunday, 1^st September, at 1530hr in the Cathedral.  It would be good if as many of the Teulu Asaph as possible, but especially those licensed in the Archdeaconry of Montgomery, could be present to support Gerwyn as he begins his ministry among us.  Remember too that some Mission Areas will be assigned to new archdeaconries from that date.  Estuary and Mountain will become part of the Archdeaconry of Wrexham, and Offa and Maelor Mission Areas are becoming part of the Montgomery Archdeaconry.

Clergy Synod – Mission and Liturgy

The Clergy Synod will be held on Thursday, 19 September, at the Catrin Finch Centre, Wrexham University.  The synod is a professional obligation for all stipendiary clergy, to which all NSM clergy with my licence are also welcome to attend.  Should there be any reason why clerics wish to have my permission to be absent, they should write to me at Esgobty at the earliest opportunity.

The day will be a workshop from 0930hr to 1600hr, with suitable breaks and lunch.

Residential Clergy School  – September 2025

It’s time for our triennial residential Clergy School in Autumn 2025.  The provisional dates have been set for the week of 15^th to 18^th September.  Watch this space for further details as they emerge, but do put those dates in your diary now, and begin to put in any arrangements that may be necessary to enable you to attend.

Diary and Events                                    

Please read this diary carefully.  The diary below has been updated to include all 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.  Please ensure that dates which are a professional requirement are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.  Especially important are the plans for the Diocesan Conference, which are outlined in the diary below.  Where a clash comes to your attention, please raise it with Esgobty at the earliest opportunity.

Please also note the dates of Confirmations in the diary.  All candidates are welcome at any of the Confirmations, and this sacramental rite is an important occasion to welcome those who are becoming active in their discipleship.  In many ways I believe that the number coming to Confirmation are the real and best indicator of growing the life of the Church.

September

01 September    The Installation of Gerwyn Capon as Archdeacon of Montgomery during Choral         Evensong, Cathedral, 1530hr.

14 September    Licensing of Petra Goodband as Associate Priest in the Wrexham Mission Area, and for the new Hub Church in St Giles’ at 1530hr, in St Giles’ Church.

19 September   Clergy Synod for all serving clergy, in person, Catrin Finch Centre, Wrexham University campus (further information is enclosed with this Ad Clerum)

22 September    Estuary and Mountain MA Confirmation Service, Holy Trinity Greenfield, 1000hrs,     and Wrexham MA Confirmation Service, St Giles’, 1500hrs

30 September    Licensing of Marcus Pipe as Priest in Charge in the Maelor Mission Area at 1900hr in St Dunawd’s, Bangor-on-Dee.

Later in the year

17 October         Diocesan Conference online evening session, timing to be decided

19 October       Diocesan Conference, in person, all day meeting at Llanfyllin High School

13 November    Mission Area Leader Training

2025

29 January          Clergy Synod, details to be confirmed

17 April               Chrism Eucharist

31 May                LLM Annual Meeting and Service

28 June               Diaconal Ordinations, Cathedral, 1000hr

15-18 Septr        Residential Clergy School

Cover over the Summer holidays

With Archdeacon Barry taking leave in August until he retires at the end of that month, cover over the summer holidays falls on the shoulders of Archdeacons Andy and Hayley. Archdeacon Hayley returns to duty on Thursday 8th and Archdeacon Andy takes his holiday from 9^th for two weeks. Please contact the appropriate archdeacon on duty as need arises.

This Ad Clerum comes with my thanks and blessing as always, however, with gratitude for the life and witness we share in the Teulu Asaph.