Annwyl Gyfeillion,

It’s not easy being Welsh these days, at least when it comes to rugby, but nonetheless, it is good to
send Happy St David’s Day greetings! Gŵyl Dewi Sant hapus i bawb!
RS Thomas is rightly praised and studied for his poetry, and hugely profound insights into Christian faith,
but he could be acerbic in his judgements, and had no time for sentimental perspectives on life. He
could be particularly sharp on the nature of his own people.

“There is no present in Wales,
And no future;
There is only the past,
Brittle with relics
Wind-bitten towers and castles
With sham ghosts;
Mouldering quarries and mines;
And an impotent people,
Sick with inbreeding,
Worrying the carcass of an old song.”

I am glad to say that, while I recognize my own faith in many of Thomas’ poems, I do not recognize his description of our nation. It is true that we like our old songs and our history, and the close-knit nature of our communities means that we tend to know each other well, and each other’s business – although not perhaps quite to the degree that we’re “sick with inbreeding”. However – certainly with devolution, which Thomas never really experienced – Wales does have a vibrant present, and, I believe, a bright future. It is important, however, for me to remember the history and hold it in tension with the future. A people that forget their history lose their sense of identity, and the inspiration from the past that can sometimes shape and build the future in strong and creative ways. That is why I believe it is worthwhile to celebrate Asaph 1450. We do so, not to remember the past in a sentimental or hysterical way, but Ad Clerum: Mawrth 2023 : tudalen 2 because the examples of the past – including Asaph and the other saints of this region – can remind us of the boldness of Christian living and witness that invites us to a more courageous discipleship in our own day.

Chrism Eucharist: Thursday, 6th April

I look forward to welcoming all of you to the Cathedral on Maundy Thursday, April 6th, at 1100hr as we gather to celebrate the Chrism Eucharist with the Blessing of the Holy Oils and the renewal of our commitment to diaconal, priestly and episcopal service, as well as the re commitment of all the baptized to mission. This common celebration is one of the high points of diocesan life, so please make it a priority for your diaries. Lunch will follow and will be served in the south transept. It will take the form of a hot main course followed by pudding, provided, as usual, by Marc Macauley Caterers. All licensed and commissioned lay ministers and all members of our congregations are very welcome in addition to all clergy, serving and retired, to help to make the Chrism Eucharist a genuinely diocesan service. I like the invitation to be as wide as possible, and it would be good if Shared ministry teams could include the wider circle of lay ministers and PTO clergy in their invitations. Please would clergy and lay people intending to be present register with their Mission Area Administrators / MAL, with numbers from each mission area to be submitted to Esgobty no later than Tuesday, 28 March so that we have an accurate idea of numbers for catering, etc. There will be meat and vegetarian options for the meal, and any other dietary requirements should be notified when registering.

Full details about robing and other arrangements will be available in the April Ad Clerum.

Easter Evangelism

The Pocket Testament League is a Gospel-based organization that seeks to support evangelism by the production of cheaply priced and accessible translations of pocket-sized Gospels, which can be easily shared and distributed. You may remember that they co-operated with the diocese in 2021 to produce a pocket translation in English and Welsh of the Gospel according to John to mark the 400th Anniversary of the translation of the Psalms into Welsh by Edmwnd Prys in 1621, a copy of which was distributed to every child in our Church schools, and available for local use. I have now co-operated with PTL in the production of a booklet of the Easter story as told by all four evangelists, together with a short commentary, outlining the impact and meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus for our own lives and faith.

Called “The Week the Changed the World”, it is available for a suggested
donation of £20 for thirty copies at www.ptluk.org/theweek. I have also been provided with 500 copies of this booklet for free distribution to the diocese, for any who would like to make use of it. Copies may be ordered through Siân, here at the office in Esgobty. First come, first served. It is worth taking a look at the range of Gospels that PTL produce, as they’re adapted for use in specific contexts, and are a good way to put God’s Word, and the good news of Jesus Christ into the hands of any enquirer.

Diary and Events

This diary below includes dates for events that 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. Events like the Chrism Eucharist and Ordinations are not listed as professional requirements, because I don’t believe in making any worship compulsory. However, I hope that our natural loyalty to support one another and our common life make these services a priority in our diaries.

March

3 & 4 March         Lent Ember Days (for which the leaflet is attached)
5 March                Installation of the Ven Hayley Matthews as Archdeacon of Wrexham, the Cathedral, 1530hr

Later in 2023

6 April                  Chrism Eucharist and Lunch, at the Cathedral, 1100hr
8 April                  Easter Vigil at the Cathedral, 1900hr
29 April                Festival Eucharist in the Cathedral for the Feast of St Asaph
24 June                Ordination of Deacons, Cathedral, 1000hrs

28/30 June         Petertide Ember Days

1 July                     Ordination of Priests, Cathedral, 1000hrs
15 July                   Licensing of Lay Ministers, Cathedral, 1000hrs
27 & 30 Septr       Michaelmas Ember Days
12 October            Diocesan Conference business meeting on Zoom 1900- 2100hrs
14 October            Diocesan Conference worship & addresses, Cathedral, 1400-1600hr
21 Novr                MAL training day (Please note this date is currently provisional)
6 December         St Nicholastide Confirmation, Cathedral, 1900hr
13, 15 & 16 Dec    Advent Ember Days

St Asaph Festival: Saturday, 29th April

There will be a special Celebration of the Eucharist in the Cathedral on 29th April, to mark the Feast Day of St Asaph, which falls in the following week. In addition to the celebration of Asaph 1450, and a guest preacher, there will be the annual awards of the Order of St Asaph (which will include our retiring Diocesan Secretary, Mrs Diane McCarthy), the gathering of the Friends of St Asaph Cathedral, and a special invitation to clergy celebrating a special anniversary to join with me in the celebration of the Eucharist. (Clergy wishing to mark a significant anniversary at this service are asked to contact my office by April 5th). Given the celebration of Asaph 1450 this year, I hope that a warm invitation to join us at the Cathedral will be offered throughout the diocese, and that you will think about joining us.

Diocesan Conference, 12th and 14th October

A fresh approach is being developed for the 2023 Diocesan Conference in October. The business elements of the conference will be split from the inspirational/keynote speaker. Please save the following two dates and more information will follow:
• Thursday 12 October: 7pm – 9pm: This will be an online meeting (via Zoom) to conduct the
business of the diocesan conference. It will include items such as the budget, accounts and any amendments to the diocesan constitution.
• Saturday 14 October: 2pm – 4pm at the Cathedral. This will include worship, keynote addresses and speakers and will conclude with refreshments. Among the speakers this year will be the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd AndrewJohn, whowill be speaking about the commitment of the Church in Wales to support evangelism.
The conference pages of the website at https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/diocesan-conference/ will be updated with further information in due course.

Hwyl a Helo

This month, we say farewell to Diane McCarthy, who finishes as Diocesan Secretary on 9th March. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Diane for her inspirational leadership and work for over thirteen years and wish her well for the future. I am delighted to say that Diane has accepted nomination to the Order of St Asaph in recognition of her contribution, and will remain in post as Canon Treasurer for the remainder of the term of office for that role.

It is a pleasure to announce that Luke Bristowe, assistant curate in the Wrexham Mission Area, will move to the Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area as Warden of St Peter’s and pioneering priest at Easter, and that Chris Lawton will move to Borderlands MA and be rooted in the Bistre group of churches in the early Summer. Both these clergy have served faithfully in their curacies, and we are glad to see them rooted in new communities as they follow their vocation in our diocese.

It is an honour to announce that Huw Butler has accepted my nomination to hold the cursal canonry of Johannes Griffith at the Cathedral. Huw has served with distinction in two established periods of ministry in the diocese, in Dyffryn Clwyd and in Alyn Mission Area, where he is currently Mission Area Leader.

I am sorry to record the death of John Somerville, a priest who also served with distinction in this diocese since his ordination in 1963, particularly as Vicar of Gorsedd between 1970 and 2002, and also Area Dean of Holywell. We remember him with affection as we commend him, and his wife, Eirlys, to their Creator and Redeemer.

Notes and Queries

The Lent Prayer Cards
A reminder that I am inviting all members of the Teulu Asaph to join me in using the prayer at 1800hr or thereabouts every day of Lent. It is good to think that the majority of the Teulu Asaph can be united in prayer in this way during Lent.
Easter Vigil at the Cathedral – April 8th

Although there will be no confirmation in the cathedral during the Triduum this year, the Easter Vigil will still take place at 1900hr on Saturday, April 8th. There will be a warm welcome to any from across the diocese who would like to join us to celebrate the resurrection light that Easter brings. As has been Ad Clerum: Mawrth 2023 : tudalen 5 the custom in recent years, there will be an opportunity for churches to bring their Paschal candles to service, to symbolise taking the light of Christ from the Mother Church to illuminate the Paschal celebrations later in their local settings.

Hoffwn ddymuno Dydd Gŵyl Dewi llawen a Grawys sanctaidd i bawb ohonoch, ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen at eich gweld yn y gwasanaeth Dydd Iau Cablyd. Boed i Dduw eich bendithio â phob tangnefedd a diddanwch yn eich cred, fel y profwch ei gariad a’i ras rhyfeddol yn eich bywydau a’ch tystiolaeth.
Gras a Thangnefedd yr Arglwydd Iesu Grist i chi.

I wish you all a joyful St David’s Day, and a Holy Lent, and look forward to seeing you for our Maundy
Thursday Celebration. May God grant you every peace and joy in believing that you may know his
wonderful love and grace in your lives and witness.

Grace and Peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ,