Ad Clerum

1af o Orffennaf 2021 July 1st

Annwyl Gyfeillion,

We are in the midst of the Ordinations.  Once again we have had to hold them in socially distanced conditions, once again the services are being streamed, and we have had to rely on the spiritual support rather than physical presence of the Teulu Asaph as we engage in the celebration of the sacramental act which is Ordination.  I’d like to thank all of you who made the effort to join the ordination of our nine new priests last Saturday, and extend my thanks to all those who worked so hard to make it happen, and to be livestreamed.

This coming Saturday, by God’s Grace, we will ordain six deacons – Stephen Hayes, Adrian Johnson, Chris Lawton, Natasha Quinn Thomas, Patrick Williams and Michael Winwood.  Once again, I hope that you will have maintained the time and space to join us in prayer as we add to those in ordained ministry in the diocese.

I found myself reflecting in the rehearsal last week on the thousands of St Asaph ordinations that must have happened in the Cathedral, and probably elsewhere, in the life of the diocese.  In every generation, God has called out from among us servants who can, by God’s Grace, carry the burden of being ambassadors in service and heralds of the Good News of Jesus Christ, Lord and Saviour (which is what it is to be a deacon) and elders who gather the Church for worship and fellowship, and who nurture it, again by God’s Grace, in a faithful ministry of proclaiming the Word, and celebrating the Sacraments (which is what it is to be a priest).  I’m mindful that we could not hold the usual celebration this year of significant anniversaries in the Cathedral, yet I am seeing so many of our faithful clergy celebrating those anniversaries this year through social media.

In my twelve years alone, I’ve been privileged to ordain sixty people for ministry in the Teulu Asaph, and most of those not once but on two occasions of course – to the diaconate and priesthood – which makes significantly over a hundred separate ordinations in total.  It is a humbling thing to have been called to do.  It is always a point of joy and hope and promise in every occasion, the fulfilment of many years of dreams and planning and study and work.

I feel a huge amount of gratitude to God, and to the individual ordinands, for this legacy of faith and trust, discipleship and commitment.  Each one can tell a story of how God has prompted them, moved them and cajoled them, and slowly led them to the same space and time in our cathedral, where they have been ordained.  For all of them who have been, thanks be to God.  For the promise of the future, praise be to the Lord.

Hwyl a Helo 

I am sorry to have to record a number of deaths in this month’s Ad Clerum.  We are sad to have lost a number of priests:  David Dunn, former incumbent at Llanfair Caereinion, Martyn Hill, former Vicar of Bistre and Team Vicar in the Benefice of Hawarden,  Arthur Shufflebotham, PTO cleric in Dyffryn Clwyd, and John Ronald Evans, who at the grand age of 105 was the Church in Wales’ oldest pensioner. John served for some years as Vicar in Glyndyfrdwy and Rural Dean of Edeyrnion. We had also bid farewell to John Foxlee, Reader and Spiritual Director, a member of the Order of St Asaph.  We thank God for their faithful service, and extend our condolences to their families as we commend them into God’s care.

Then, members of the clergy family have lost relatives too:  John Searl’s father, also called John, passed away earlier this month and Roger Johnson, Alexis Smith’s father, passed away only a couple of days ago.  Our thoughts and prayers go to them at this time also.

Diary and Events

This diary below gives dates for events in which 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.  Some of these dates are NEW.

3 July                          Petertide Diaconal Ordinations (Cathedral) 10.00hr

22 September           St Asaph Clergy Synod  (St Asaph Cathedral)                                      14.00hr

23 September           Montgomery Clergy Synod (Hope Street Wrexham)                                      09.30hr

Wrexham Clergy Synod  (St Giles’ Wrexham) 14.00hr

• October Diocesan Conference (by Zoom)

2  November            Life Events Launch (an event for Mission Area representatives)

18 November            MAL training day (venue and format to be decided)

2022

1  February               Diocesan Clergy Synod

23 March                   MAL training day (venue and format to be decided)

14 April                      Chrism Eucharist and Renewal of Vows (Cathedral)

16 April                      Easter Vigil and Confirmation (Cathedral)

5  June Pentecost Confirmation, pm (Cathedral)

14-17 Nov               Residential Clergy School (Swanwick Conference Centre)

22 November            MAL training day (venue and format to be decided)

7 December             Advent Confirmation (provisional date)

Clergy Synods

We have taken the decision that the September Clergy Synods will be held in person.  This autumn, the format will remain in archdeaconry synods to allow for social distancing, and remain as a half day programme.  The synods will be as follows:

• Wednesday, 22^nd September: 1330-1630hr, St Asaph Archdeaconry
• Thursday, 23^rd September: 0930-1230hr, Montgomery Archdeaconry
• Thursday, 23^rd September: 1330-1630hr, Wrexham Archdeaconry

We will be joined by “Creating Sanctuary”, an organisation which works with Churches to explore how we make our churches and congregations safe places for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.  This is not about which theological stance we might hold towards questions of sexuality, but about ensuring that the way in which we welcome people and relate to them ensures that we do not act consciously or unconsciously in a way which stigmatises or oppresses.  This training has been provided because it has become clear that all our churches can encounter people these days from a wide variety of these backgrounds, and there are certain good principles that can be put in place whatever our theologies.

You are reminded that it is a professional obligation for clergy to attend synod.  Non-stipendiary clergy are permitted absence where they have secular commitments to meet, but stipendiary clergy should seek my explicit permission to be absent directly from Esgobty.  Passed on messages are not sufficient.

Living in Love and Faith

Separately, you will be aware that Governing Body will be considering the possibility of offering Blessings to same sex couples who have celebrated a civil partnership or marriage at their September meeting.  This has been one of the most hotly contested of discussions in recent years in the Anglican Communion, let alone the Church in Wales, and there are strong feelings of obedience to God’s will on both sides.  How do Christians talk about this matter sensibly and prepare for the debate at Governing Body?  The matter is, of course, being discussed in our sister Church across the border, and the Church of England has produced a card setting out some reminders of the pitfalls of discussion as we approach this as sisters and brothers in Christ.

All the bishops are circulating a summary card (in English and Welsh) to remind us how to be faithful to our calling not only in matters of sexuality, but in the way in which we discuss, discern and debate together.

Notes and Queries

Confirmations

A number of clergy have spoken to Esgobty about the possibility of confirmations in their local Churches in the Autumn.  Since demand is nevertheless low, I am intending to cancel the Advent Confirmation, which had been scheduled for mid-December, unless there is a sudden rush.  Please think about Confirmation preparation for 2022, and when you might bring candidates for Confirmation then.  I normally try to hold diocesan Confirmation Services at the Easter Vigil, Pentecost and in Advent.

Financial Assistance

There are a number of small charitable funds available to me to respond to need among the clergy, both serving and retired.  It is always helpful to me to hear of any particular cases of need that might arise, as I may be able to assist with a small but timely grant.  Do let me know if you know a cleric in need.

Srebrenica Memorial Week July 4^th – 11^th

Remembering Srebrenica, is a charitable organisation funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, raising awareness of the genocide in Bosnia and bringing  people together to tackle hatred and help build safer, stronger communities here in the UK.

This year’s Srebrenica Memorial Week will be taking place from 4th July to 11th July where communities across the UK will commemorate the 26th anniversary of the genocide, where over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim Men and Boys were murdered, simply because of their faith. The theme for 2021 is ‘Rebuilding Lives’ and will remember the spirit of survivors who, despite the horrendous hatred and destruction they were subjugated to themselves, have been rebuilding their lives with dignity, humanity and without calling for retribution or promoting division or hatred.

Churches are being encouraged to hold an act of commemoration between the 4th and 11th July which can take various forms including:

• Holding a virtual Sunday service on either the 4th or 11th of July.
• Posting our “Statement of Commemoration” on your website or social media to show your solidarity with the survivors of the Bosnian genocide;
• Lighting a candle in remembrance of the victims of genocide;
• Connecting with other faith groups to organise an interfaith event online or in-person, for reflection or prayers.

A range of resources available to support your act of commemoration, including a statement to mark the anniversary, speeches, prayers which can be found here.

I hear many stories of how everyone is feeling as we move forward with handling the Covid crisis.  People speak of immense tiredness, of uncertainty or even fear in respect to in person meetings, and of new challenges as the Covid workpile is enhanced by all the old routines coming back to haunt us.  But there is new vision as well, and new opportunity.  My prayer is that you will be blessed with refreshment and inspiration as you continue your faithful work bringing God’s love to bear in the world.  However, do cherish yourselves as well – be diligent in work, and in rest, in service and in refreshment, and may the Lord renew your in love.  With my continued thanks for all your ministry, and with my blessing,