Ad Clerum

Chwefror 2020 February

Annwyl Gyfeillion,

Candlemas has always been a significant feast for me.  Although the ceremonies of light associated with it are not widely performed, there is a sense of real joy that the stories of Christmas end with the recognition of the infant Jesus as the light bringer, the one who is the source of joy and salvation for the world.

At the recent Clergy Synod I spoke of my expectations of the priestly vocation that we share, and above all else, we should be passionate and joyful.  The very fact that we have chosen to give our lives in ministry bears witness to an underlying truth that we came to a conviction that to give our lives in ordained ministry would be the way in which God led us into fullness of life.  At the forefront of our minds, or perhaps buried more deeply, the sense of God’s call to us to find joy in what we are doing as priests and deacons is a vital part of finding fulfilment in ministry.

It is not all sweetness and light, we know all too well, but I hope that we can use the period between Christmas and Lent to focus on what nurtures, empowers and excites us.  And I repeat my pledge – that in my episcope, and in the ministry of those who share it with me, my intention will be to seek to lift you up and free you for that possibility of passionate service which inspired your vocation.

Clergy Synod

It was so good to see an excellent turn out at Synod, and I hope that the three presentations and discussions through the day were helpful for you.  Heather Fenton is working on the notes from the day, and these will be circulated in due course.

Lent Prayer

I am grateful to Andy Kitchen, Senior Leader of Hope Street, for composing our Lent Prayer this year, which has been reproduced at the head of this Ad Clerum.  These cards have been widely distributed now to the Mission Areas, and 5000 copies are available for lay and clergy to use during Lent.  A tide of prayer of this kind will surely bring blessing to the diocese.  I invite you to pray this prayer throughout Lent – at every opportunity, and in every service – but also to join me in saying it, whenever possible, at 6pm or as close as possible every evening.

Easter Card

Karen Maurice, our Communications Officer, and I have been working on a project to produce a diocesan Easter Card.  The idea will be to provide everyone through the website with a two sided A4 sheet which can be printed out, and folded twice to create an A6 card, which can be duplicated and distributed.  The front of the card will have a “Happy Easter” theme, with a short welcome to our churches from me, a brief statement of Easter faith and a prayer inside, leaving the back of the card blank for churches to be able to add their own services.  Opening out the card will reveal some information about the life and mission of our diocese.  I hope that you will find it useful.

Hwyl a Helo

I am pleased to announce that Rebecca Sparey-Taylor will be moving from her training curacy in Wrexham to become a Priest in the Mission Area of Denbigh. I look forward to licensing Rebecca to this new ministry on April 26^th and we hope the family soon settle in the Rectory at Trefnant.

Heather Shotton will be completing her curacy in Wrexham at the end of March.  She has accepted my offer of a second curacy in the Offa Mission Area, which she will begin on Palm Sunday.  We wish her well.

I am also able to announce that Yaqoob Khushi has been appointed as Vicar of Rickerscote in the Diocese of Lichfield.  We wish Khushi, Jamila and the family every blessing as they move from Llanfair Caereinion.  Khushi’s ministry in Caereinion Mission Area will finish at the end of May.  Also finishing this month is Ann Chidgey who has decided to step back from public ministry for the time being.

Two of our established clergy have accepted new diocesan roles in support of the shared ministry to which we are committed.  Huw Butler will be Officer for Licensed Lay Ministries and Kate Tiltman will be Ministry Officer for Commissioned Ministries.  I am grateful to them both for taking on these important role of fostering and encouraging lay ministry.

We have now completed the process of assigning titles to the candidates for the diaconate at the Petertide Ordination.  At present, and God willing, I will be privileged to ordain to the diaconate on Saturday, 4^th July in the Cathedral:

• George Bearwood, who will serve in  Alyn Mission Area,
• Helen Dawson, who will serve in Borderlands Mission Area,
• Gregor Lachlann-Waddell, who will serve in Bryn a Môr Mission Area,
• Ben Lines, who will serve in Aberconwy Mission Area,
• Jo Mackriell, who will serve in Wrexham Mission Area,
• Gail Woodward, who will serve in Borderlands Mission Area.

In addition, I am pleased to announce that I will also be ordaining Luke Bristowe to the diaconate who will serve his curacy at the Hope Street project in Wrexham.  Luke comes to us from the Diocese of Canterbury and is currently an ordinand at Trinity College, Bristol.

Do please pray for all these candidates as they prepare, God willing, for ordination as deacons in the Summer, and do also pray for Gareth Erlandson, Sally Harper, Simon Piercy, Chris Spencer, Sue Storey, Carol Thomas and James Tout as they begin to prepare to be ordained priest on June 27^th.

We send our congratulations to Peter and Helen Francis at Gladstone’s Library, who have welcomed their first grandchild, Rupert, just before Christmas, and to Gregor and Sarah Lachlann-Waddell on the birth of Elsie Florence, a sister to Maia, who was born 23rd January.

The Order of St Asaph

A reminder that nominations for the Order of St. Asaph need to be submitted by the end of this month using the nomination form and detailing as much information as possible about a candidate’s contribution to the diocese.  All members of the Teulu Asaph, whether clerical or lay, are encouraged to make nominations.   These can also be submitted through any diocesan council or committee as we seek to recognise and honour the outstanding contribution of lay persons at diocesan level, particularly at an appropriate point on the completion of service in a particular way or in a particular role.  New members of the Order will be invested on Saturday, May 2^nd, at the special Patronal Eucharist in the Cathedral at 11:00.

Ordination Anniversaries Eucharist

As well as the Order of St Asaph, the Patronal Eucharist in the Cathedral on May 2^nd will also focus our thanksgiving  for those who are celebrating a significant ordination anniversary this year.  So if you have a special anniversary this year, such as 20 or 25 years or the subsequent ‘0’ or ‘5’ anniversaries and would like to come with family, friends and supporters to celebrate a significant year of ministry then please contact Esgobty so that we can include you in the worship.

Notes & Queries

Church in Wales Centenary Appeal

As we mark one hundred years of a disestablished Church in Wales in 2020, please don’t forget to give the Church in Wales Centenary Appeal serious consideration in your mission areas.  Details were circulated with the December ad clerum and can also be accessed here:  https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/about-us/our-campaigns/centenary-appeal/

The Real Easter Egg

2020 is the tenth anniversary of The Real Easter Egg. Out of the 80 million Easter eggs sold in this part of the world every year, The Real Easter Egg is the only one which has an Easter story book in the box, is made of Fairtrade chocolate and supports charitable projects.  Please do consider supporting this important Christian initiative.

A warm thank you for all that you do in your ministry, and the fellowship we share in Christ, and be assured of prayers and blessing for the future.

In Christ,