Annwyl Gyfeillion

Walking in the bright sunlit calm that we had on one day last week, I was able to soak up the healing balm of nature. After all the rush and busyness of Christmas, the quietness of space to think, to relax and to recover was very important. However, that walk in the open air was also for me a quiet revelation of the love of God. I do believe that the Holy Spirit is manifest in all creation and offers grace to us through all sorts of things and experiences, so that even walking in the sunshine can itself be a channel of God’s grace to us.

It was a Psalm 131 moment:

Lord, my heart is not proud;

my eyes are not haughty.

I will not get distracted by things

too great or too wondrous for me.

Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul

like a weaned child with its mother.

My soul is like a weaned child.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

both now and forevermore.

My hope, as we begin 2025 together, is that we can all invest, individually and corporately in Psalm 131 moments. In eight weeks’ time we will be beginning Lent, and we will have once again the fine Lent Prayer Card prepared for us by Michael, and written this year by Hayley, which calls us to be joined together spiritually in the saying of the same prayer at the same time every day in Lent. Until then, however, we have two months to make a discipline of finding time to say Psalm 131 alone or in prayer groups, to make the attitudes of which it speaks, of humility before God, and expectation, part of the orientation of our hearts in facing whatever challenges 2025 will bring.  As Isaiah put it: “in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30.15)

Hwyl a Helo

A new year, and new beginnings in abundance.  It is time to refresh the Cathedral Chapter after recent retirements. After consultation with the Dean, I am therefore delighted to announce the following nominations:

• Joshua Askwith to the Prebendal Stall of Canon Pastor (and Sacrist)
• David Lewis to the Cursal Stall of Arthur Bulkeley
• Trish Owens to the Cursal Stall of Adam Beckinsell
• Jayne Coxall to the Cursal Stall of Johannes Griffith
• Christine Owen to be an Honorary Canon
• Paulette Gower to be an Honorary Canon
• Sarah Hildreth-Osborn to be an Honorary Canon
• Tim Rowlands to be an Ecumenical Canon

This healthy crop of new canons will be installed at Evensong in the Cathedral at 1530hr on Sunday, 9 March. I hope that as many of you as possible will attend and robe in support of these colleagues, as they take on a new dimension to the ministry that they offer to the diocese.

God willing, and subject to satisfactory final reports, I am pleased to indicate that I intend to ordain the following on Saturday, 28th June, in the Cathedral:

To the Sacred Order of Deacon:

• David Dobbs to serve in the Estuary and Mountain Mission Area
• Jampa King to serve in the Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area
• Sharon Morgan to serve in Hope Street
• Ian Williams to serve in the Estuary and Mountain Mission Area
• Glyn Wise to serve in the Aled Mission Area

To the Sacred Order of Priest: Pam Hallam to continue to serve in the Offa Mission Area

Do hold all these candidates in your prayers. Again, your presence as robed clergy is requested in support of your colleagues. The Retreat Conductor and Preacher will be Professor Jane Williams.

I am delighted that Jennifer Liston-Smith has accepted my invitation to become Diocesan Interfaith Officer. A business psychologist with a background in law, Jennifer currently works full-time and has committed 12 days a year in this voluntary role for the Diocese. For much of her life, Jennifer has held an interest in other faith paths alongside Christianity and has recently completed two years of training outside the Church in Wales in interfaith ministry. Within our own community, some of you may know Jenni as the other half of the Cathedral broadcast team, together with her husband Canon John Liston.

It is also a pleasure to announce the appointment of Helen Barnes as a Priest-in-charge in the Alyn Mission Area. Helen joins us from the Diocese of Oxford, and will take responsibility for Minera and Southsea. We offer her a warm welcome.

I was sad to hear just before Christmas of the death of David Hooson. David was Registrar of this diocese for many years, and served faithfully in that role. He was awarded the Order of St Asaph in recognition of that work in 2013. I have also heard of the recent death of Mike Keulemans who assisted in the old Llanfyllin Deanery as PTO and for a time, Associate Priest, before his move to the Diocese of Blackburn about ten years ago.

We commend all those who have died recently into God’s hands and pray for the presence of God and blessing for all those who mourn.

Consultations on Same Sex Blessings

Later this year, as you know, we will be holding a series of consultations around the diocese to share together in reflecting on the provision of Blessings for Same-Sex Unions, and what changes we would wish to see at the end of the five-year experimental period currently in force. After consultation, I have decided that we shall hold seven consultations in this diocese – two opportunities in each archdeaconry, and one specifically set for the clergy. Further details will be forthcoming, but for the present, you may like to note and advertise the following dates:

• In the Archdeaconry of St Asaph:  Thursday 27 March and Thursday 8 May
• In the Archdeaconry of Montgomery:  Wednesday 2 April and Monday 12 May
• In the Archdeaconry of Wrexham:  Monday 31 March and Monday 19 May

For all clergy holding the Bishop’s Licence or Permission to Officiate: Thursday 22 May

Meetings will be held in the evening, with the exception of the meeting for clergy, which will be held at 1400hrs. Venues to be confirmed.

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. Where a clash with your own plans comes to your attention, please raise it with Esgobty at the earliest opportunity. I am still occasionally getting excuses late in the day from clergy who don’t seem to have planned ahead, or even read this diary, and I am much more amenable when approached early to discuss any potential clashes.

January

29 January          Clergy Synod, whole day meeting, St David’s Hotel, Ewloe

Later in the Year

17 March            The Licensing of Helen Barnes as Priest-in-Charge in Alyn MA, at All Saints’, Southsea, 1900hr.

27 March            Same-Sex Blessings Consultation in St Asaph Archdeaconry

31 March            Same-Sex Blessings Consultation in Wrexham Archdeaconry

2 April                Same-Sex Blessings Consultation in Montgomery Archdeaconry

17 April               Chrism Eucharist, Cathedral, 1100hr

8 May                 Same-Sex Blessings Consultation in St Asaph Archdeaconry

12 May                Same-Sex Blessings Consultation in Montgomery Archdeaconry

19 May                Same-Sex Blessings Consultation in Wrexham Archdeaconry

22 May                Same-Sex Blessings Consultation for Diocesan Clergy, 1400hr

31 May                LLM Annual Meeting and Service

28 June               Ordinations, Cathedral, 1000hr

15-18 Septr        Residential Clergy School

Notes and Queries

Lent Prayer Cards

Orders are now invited from each mission area for the Lent 2025 Prayer Card with a prayer which has been composed for us by Archdeacon Hayley. Michael at Esgobty looks forward to receiving one order per mission area no later than this Friday 10 January please, so that the card can be distributed at Synod in time for Lent.

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 2025. The ceremony will take place during the Diocesan Patronal Eucharist for St Asaph at the Cathedral in May. 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 Monday, March 3rd.

Understandably there are those who have offered sterling service to the Church within the local church or mission area context, who deserve recognition, but who do not qualify for a diocesan award. 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.

Every blessing as we begin an exciting new year. I am forever grateful to be blessed by such a great company of priestly and diaconal colleagues, and I look forward to working with you in the coming months.