1st July 2020
Ad Clerum – July 2020
Ad Clerum - July 2020
1af o Orffennaf 2020 July 1st
Annwyl Gyfeillion,
“Send down your holy spirit … for the office and work of a deacon in your Church”. This is the formula that, God willing, I will use nine times this coming Saturday so I want to reflect briefly upon the diaconate. I belong to that school of thought that sees holy orders conferred additionally not sequentially: in other words, I believe that I remained a deacon when priested, and a priest and deacon when I was consecrated as your bishop. For me, the diaconate is therefore the fundamental foundation of all ordained ministry.
When I was eighteen I was given a job in the restaurant of friends of my parents. We all worked there, not as employees, but helping our friends set up their new business enterprise, one of the first high-end burger restaurants in the country. I still remember the thrill – yes, it was a thrill – of serving at tables, delivering drinks and meals to the customers – but also of proclaiming the day’s specials and interpreting the menu – what went into particular exotic cocktails or the toppings for a speciality burger.
Have we, my sisters and brothers in ordained ministry, retained a sense of excitement in the loving service to which we are called as deacons? Are we bold in announcing God’s invitation to fullness of life, and the menu of his grace and gifts to the people of God? As the years roll by and the challenges of ministry mount up, we learn that we need to find space to be recalled to our first love, and the excitement of what it means to have a vocation to be ministers of divine love. It is wonderful to observe each of our nine, in their very different ways and from very different circumstances, as they express true excitement to be responding to God’s call. We all of us need to re-centre ourselves in that excitement and that passion year by year, day by day even, if the flame of our service is to burn brightly.
Let us pray then for our deacon candidates – and for ourselves – that whatever is the ministry or service to which we have been called, God would always bring us back to the point of first response: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
Hwyl a Helo
I am very pleased to be able to announce that Sam Erlandson has been appointed as priest-in-charge rooted in Craig y Don and Llanrhos and as Mission Area Leader for Aberconwy Mission Area. Sam has proved himself an enthusiastic and capable priest in Llay and then Wrexham, and we welcome him to this challenging new role. He will move in September.
I am also pleased to announce that Janet Crane, who moved to this part of the world a little while ago, has now been appointed to an assistant curacy in the Aber-Morfa Mission Area. Janet has been exercising ministry as a priest with PTO for a while in Towyn, but it is very good to recognize her growing ministry in this way. Congratulations also to Kathy Stewart, who is being re-licensed for her ministry in Mold Mission Area, having completed her curacy, and who takes on the role of being rooted in Nercwys and working across the mission area in children’s and schools work.
We welcome Andy & Rachel Kitchen and their family to the diocese as they move up from London to begin work with Hope Street.
Ordinations
It should have been the ordination of priests last Saturday, and I am currently working towards the provisional date of Saturday, 3rd October, for the ordination of our seven priest candidates (Gareth Erlandson, Sally Harper, Simon Piercy, Chris Spencer, Sue Storey, Carol Thomas and James Tout), hoping that it will be possible to hold the ordination in the Cathedral as usual. Do please hold all these individuals in your thoughts and prayers.
By agreement with the Welsh Government, however, we will be able to proceed with the ordination of our deacon candidates, and this is because the government has accepted the argument that it is a necessary step to their assuming ministry and their work as Assistant Curates. In line with government regulations, the ordination service will be online live streamed and recorded, and socially distanced, or with PPE precautions. Ordinations are joyful occasions when we give thanks to God for the calling of men and women to ordained service, but on this occasion, the absence of supporters and a congregation will be keenly felt. It is my hope, therefore, that many of us can hold them in prayer at the time, and support them from a distance. Please remember George Bearwood, Luke Bristowe, Helen Dawson, Toby Jones, Gregory Lachlann-Waddell, Ben Lines, Jo MacKriell, Jim Thompson and Gail Woodward in your prayers.
Curriculum for Wales 2022
May I ask for your help with a very important matter? The curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales are changing. In the new Welsh Curriculum 2022, Religious Education will be renamed Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) and will become mandatory for every pupil as part of the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience. Becoming ‘mandatory’ means in future RVE will be open to fundamental change by Welsh Government ministers without the need to amend primary legislation, but also means that the Welsh government are proposing radical changes to the requirements for the content and delivery of the subject in our schools. These proposals are presently out for consultation, and they could signal far-reaching changes, but there is still time to influence their final shape.
It is therefore vitally important that all people with an interest in education and more specifically the development of religious education in Wales engage with this current consultation. Here’s a document which indicates how the Bench of Bishops is responding to the consultation and indicates why they’ve reached that decision. There’s also an additional document with advice about how to make your own response to the consultation. Full details of the consultation which closes on July 28th 2020, can be found on the Welsh Government website.
I should be grateful if clergy would make the time to submit their own responses, and encourage others, especially in local schools, to do so.
Churches Reopening
First of all, a word of thanks to all of you for the positive work that has been going on over the last week or so in preparing our people and places, to support the first gentle step towards the reopening of our buildings.
As you know, the Bench of Bishops has been working with archdeacons from each diocese with Alex Glanville (the Head of Property at the RB), and with colleagues from other denominations to negotiate these initial steps with the Welsh Government, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months as the situation continues to change. Please be assured that the working group – and the Bench – are representing all facets of our diocesan life. While the current situation is the tentative first step that was able to be agreed, we are hopeful that change will continue at a pace, as long as the virus remains under control.
I am conscious that many of our more isolated communities will struggle to find the numbers of able and suitable volunteers who are not in a vulnerable category to facilitate opening for private prayer within the limits of the guidance, but I urge each Mission Area to see this as an opportunity to work collaboratively across congregations and to reach out into the wider community, to see if there can be even just one or two Churches that could be opened for an hour or so, a couple of times per week, to offer the comfort of peace and prayer to the communities in our care.
Please do get in touch with the Diocesan Office team, who stand ready to be of help, or if you would like to talk though any questions or concerns you have, and we hope we can be together again soon.
Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic 2020
As a diocesan family we are tremendously proud of those 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 inspiring examples of selfless dedication, compassionate care and creative practical action.
We have therefore designed a certificate to acknowledge contributions from across the diocese which merit our particular gratitude and appreciation; for example, a person who has gone above and beyond to ensure that the essential structures of community or church continue, or who has ensured those vulnerable or in danger are not forgotten.
The certificate is intended to be a simple, yet sincere, way of acknowledging such outstanding individuals within the Teulu Asaph. Certificates can be requested by mission areas through their Mission Area Leader using this form. Please email completed forms to Esgobty.
Clergy Synods
In September, we shall be holding a Clergy Synod as usual for all those licensed in ordained ministry, but we have decided to change the format, and hold three half-day synods organized by archdeaconry. Originally, these were planned to happen by gathering at a hotel, but the current plan is to meet by Zoom.
- The Montgomery Synod will meet on Wednesday, 23rd September, from 1330hr to 1600hr.
- The Wrexham Synod will meet on Thursday, 24th September, from 1000hr to 1230hr,
- And the St Asaph Synod will meet on Thursday, 24th September, from 1330hr to 1600hr.
Please ensure that these times are entered in your diary. Further details will be forthcoming in due course.
Diary
This diary gives dates for events in which all priests are encouraged to attend, or required to attend as part of their professional commitment. Since they include formal notice of dates for 2021, you are advised to put them in your diary now. Please note in particular that the residential Clergy School in September 2021 will be a professional requirement for all stipendiary clergy, and that may require additional planning by clergy with families in order to be present. Any potential clashes should be flagged up with the Esgobty team as soon as possible.
04 July 11:00 Ordination of Deacons (Private ceremony, Cathedral)
Later in 2020
23 / 24 September Clergy Synods for each Archdeaconry (to be held via Zoom)
3 October 10.00 Ordination of Priests (Cathedral)
10 October Diocesan Conference (Glyndŵr University)
19 November Mission Area Leader Training Day (Llyndir Hall, Rossett)
9 December 18:30 Advent Confirmation (Cathedral)
Dates for 2021
28 January Clergy Synod (venue to be decided)
1 April Chrism Eucharist & Renewal of Vows (Cathedral)
3 April Easter Vigil and Confirmation (Cathedral)
23 May Pentecost Confirmation (Cathedral)
26 June Petertide Priestly Ordinations (Cathedral)
3 July Petertide Diaconal Ordinations (Cathedral)
20-23 September Clergy Residential School at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire.
9 October Diocesan Conference (venue to be decided)
Thank you for your labour in the Lord’s vineyard. I remain so impressed by your continuing ministries, and the witness to the Gospel which your care provides at this difficult time. I hope that God’s grace will continue to refresh and uphold you.
In Christ,
