Annwyl Gyfeillion,

It was a delight last Sunday to join Aled Mission Area as they anticipated the Feast of Candlemas.  The sharing and blessing of candles reminded all of us in the congregation, I think, that we are called by God to be bearers of Christ’s light to the world.  The flame of each candle alone was delicate and fragile, but together we were able to flood St George’s Church with light, and illuminate the Church with the beautiful natural beauty of the warm light which flowed from the candles we held.

I long for the reputation of the Church to be one of light-bearing, so that people may find us a source of profound values that bring light and life into the world.  Our witness should be one which enables people to see the truth of an incarnate God who wins salvation and freedom from sin for us, and who seeks to transform and lead us from darkness into light.

As I said to the congregation, our diocesan focus – to grow Faith, to bring Hope and to demonstrate Love is a wholly positive mission, and a commission that we hold from the Author of Life himself.

Clergy Synod

I am grateful to the clergy, lay ministers and members of the Diocesan Office Team who gathered in the Cathedral on Tuesday last week for our Synod, and the reflection that we could offer on Asaph 1450.  It was good to be able to celebrate the Eucharist together, and have a time to share fellowship together over lunch.  I am grateful to Siân in my office for drafting a summary of our time together, which is here.

Asaph 1450 and the Kingdom Season

I hope that people valued the opportunity to hear an outline of the opportunities which the diocese seeks to afford all members of the Teulu Asaph in this Year of Jubilee.  The grant application forms to which reference was made can be downloaded from the Asaph 1450 page of the website, and for those licensed for ministry but not present, a copy of the book, An Easter Book of Days, can be collected from Esgobty, if desired.

I hope, in particular, that clergy will take the time to identify the five days in the course of the Kingdom Season which they can devote to restoring their faith, and renewing their creativity and discipleship.

Diary and Events                                    

This diary below includes dates for events where all clergy are encouraged to attend, or required to attend as part of their professional commitment.  Please ensure that these dates are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.

February

 8  February                IME Book Day for all licensed Clergy in the first three years of ministry. (Emmanuel, Bistre)

9 February                 Licensing of the Revd Jeremy Dussek in the Maelor Mission Area, 1900hr

(The Mission Area Leader writes of this service:  We have so far had acceptance of the invitation from 150 people. For seating and refreshment purposes, it would be very helpful to know numbers of diocesan clergy who plan to attend especially if they will be robing. Email responses should go to  Joanne Kember.

Later in 2023

3 & 4 March              Lent Ember Days: Leaflet in Welsh and English 

5 March                     Installation of the Ven Hayley Matthews as Archdeacon of Wrexham, The Cathedral, 1530hr.

21-22 March             MAL residential (Please note this date is currently provisional)

6 April                         Chrism Eucharist and Lunch, at the Cathedral, 1100hr

8 April                         Easter Vigil at the Cathedral, time to be arranged

23 April                      Confirmation at St Mark’s Church, Wrexham 1600hr

29 April                      Festival Eucharist in the Cathedral for the Feast of St Asaph

24 June                       Ordination of Deacons, Cathedral, 1000hrs

28, 30 June & 1 July Petertide Ember Days

1 July                          Ordination of Priests, Cathedral, 1000hrs

15 July                        Licensing of Lay Ministers, Cathedral, 1000hrs

21 Septr                     Clergy Synod (please keep this whole day in your diary)

27 & 30 Septr            Michaelmas Ember Days

21 Novr                      MAL training day (Please note this date is currently provisional)

13, 15 & 16 Dec        Advent Ember Days

Hwyl a Helo

Jane James has announced her retirement for September on the tenth anniversary of her ministry as priest in Caereinion Mission Area. Jane has served with distinction in Meifod, both as priest and mission area leader, and we wish her well for her retirement with her husband, Nick.   Patrick Williams will be leaving Wrexham MA after Easter to move back to Offa MA as assistant curate and to complete his initial ministerial training.

Graham Morgan, who served his whole ministry in the diocese including nearly thirty years as Vicar of Rhuddlan, has died at the venerable age of 97.  I am also sorry to record the deaths of Andy Kitchen’s stepfather, Geoff Rothery, who passed away suddenly on New Year’s Day, Jane James’ mother, Muriel Higgs, who passed away  on 5^th January.  Owain Rowlands, Nia Williams’ father, and the Dean’s father-in-law also passed away in early January.  Our condolences go to all those bereaved, as we hold them in our prayers.

 Confirmations 2023

Mission areas have been invited to plan their confirmation requirements for 2023, either individually or in partnership with neighbouring mission areas.  Those wishing to book a confirmation are encouraged to contact my office within the next couple of weeks to secure a date.

There will also be the opportunity to come to the Cathedral for Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday in the afternoon of May 28^th, as well as a Nicholastide Confirmation on December 6^th this year.  The Dean and I have decided not to offer a Confirmation on Easter Eve.  For some years, numbers have been declining, and trying to blend a Confirmation, with a congregation largely of people unfamiliar with Christian worship, with the beauty of a full-scale Vigil has been a losing battle.  If there is demand, then an Eastertide Confirmation can be planned, but early notice would be helpful.  I hope that mission areas will, however, consider joining us in the Cathedral for a diocesan Vigil and Renewal of Baptismal Promises, further details of which will be issued in due course.

The Order of St Asaph

It is now the time of year to invite the submission of applications for Order of St Asaph awards in 2023.  The ceremony will take place during the Diocesan Festival Eucharist for St. Asaph at the Cathedral on Saturday, April 29^th.

The Order of St. Asaph seeks 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 which serves our diocesan life.

A nomination form is here which should be returned completed with 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, which can also be submitted through any diocesan council or committee.  Nominations forms for consideration by the OSA advisory committee should be submitted to Esgobty by Wednesday, March 1^st.

Understandably there are those who have offered sterling service to the Church within the local church or mission area context, and there has been some representation for the remit of the Order to widened from just diocesan service.  This was considered by Standing Committee recently, but the decision was made to retain the status quo for the time being.  I continue to be happy to provide a suitable certificate for local presentation by a church or mission area.    Please contact Michael at Esgobty in the first instance with appropriate details for me to consider.

Notes and Queries

The Lent Ember Day Leaflet is included with this Ad Clerum in Welsh and English.  Please pray for all those preparing for ministry, and those in discernment around this period, and commend these candidates to the preyars of your congregations.

The Lent Prayer Cards ordered have now been distributed, and supplies exhausted in Esgobty.  Please do make good use of them, and ensure that the cards are put to good use.  As usual, I am inviting all members of the Teulu Asaph to join me in using the prayer at 1800hr or thereabouts every day of Lent, which starts on 22^nd February. 5000 cards have been distributed, and it is good to think that the majority of the Teulu Asaph can be united in prayer in this way during Lent.

I am enormously grateful for the partnership in the Gospel which we share.  May God bless your own observance of Lent as a springtime of the soul, and bring you to a happy Easter and the renewal of our faith.

Grace and Peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ,