Ad Clerum - May 2021

Noswyl Asa Sant : Eve of St Asaph

Annwyl Gyfeillion,

It is a common practice to refer to the diocese from time to time as “Teulu Asaph”, the family of St Asaph.  We’re one of the few dioceses in the world to be named after a person rather than a place (although in Welsh we are Llanelwy, and that is known in English as St Asaph, so perhaps it really is the place not the saint.) When we refer to ourselves as a family however, we’re definitely calling ourselves after our second bishop, Cyndeyrn, Kentigern, being the first bishop of this place, at least according to legend.  We’re saying that we identify as the extended Christian family down through the ages of that same Christian community that centred on the leadership of Asaph.

We know very little of the saint in history, and even the legends are meagre.  What we can say is that Asaph was known for his dedication to prayer, encouraging the monks in his community to pray in the Church in rota, so that the voice of prayer was never silent.  We are told that he was solicitous of the needs of others, bringing coals to warm Kentigern after his midnight prayer dips in the Elwy, or helping Queen Nest recover her ring from the river.  We know from his impact that he was zealous in proclaiming the Gospel in word and example.

These are not bad things for which to be remembered.  They are quite good things of which to remind ourselves in our own Christian discipleship.  If there’s to be a family resemblance, and we claim that there should be, our witness must be known for our dedication to prayer, our care for others, and our constant proclamation of the good news of Jesus.  I remember years ago an evangelist challenging a congregation of which I was part:  “If there was a law against Christianity, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”  Prayer and faith, service and love, the Gospel of hope – as it was for Asaph, let these be our hallmarks.

Covid Restrictions, Worship and Holy Communion

As we move forward with the easing of Covid restrictions, and Wales moves to Alert Level 3, the bishops have amended their guidance on the conduct of worship in our Churches.  The new guidance is on the Coronavirus section of the website.  The main two differences relate to opening our Churches, where the bishops are moving from a position of discouraging opening, to encouraging opening, and, as a special concession, regarding the administration of Holy Communion in both kinds.  While the bishops themselves are persuaded that a policy of administering Holy Communion in one kind remains the preferred option, we are mindful that some have petitioned us for an early restoration of Communion in both kinds.  While the attached guidance still represents a highly circumscribed form of Communion in both kinds, we feel able to authorize it in this limited form, and as a specific response to the unusual circumstances in which we find ourselves.

Hwyl a Helo

I am pleased to announce that Phil Carey is assuming greater responsibility in the Valle Crucis Mission Area, where he will now be a priest-in-charge, initially exercising responsibility on our behalf in the Penedeyrn Mission Area, and rooted at Corwen.

I am sorry to record that Bob Friedrich, who has acted as our Dementia Chaplain in the diocese for a number of years, is resigning and returning to the States with his wife Sandra, due to ill health.  Bob brought much enthusiasm and passion to encouraging us across the diocese to become Dementia Friendly, and his ministry will leave a lasting impact.  We wish Bob and Sandra every blessing for the future.

I am also sorry to record that Peter Allsworth is surrendering his Permission to Officiate.  Many of us remember Peter for his dedicated ministry in Esclusham, Rhyl and Bodelwyddan, and we are sorry to lose his support.

Petertide Ordinations

God willing, I intend to ordain the following to the Order of Priests on Saturday, 26^th June, at the Cathedral:  George Bearwood (Alyn Mission Area), Luke Bristowe (Hope Street), Helen Dawson (Borderlands), Toby Jones (Pool), Gregor Lachlann-Waddell (Bryn a Mor), Jo MacKriell (Wrexham), Ben Lines (Aberconwy),  Jim Thompson (Pool), and Gail Woodward (Borderlands).

The following Saturday, 3^rd July, God willing, the following will be ordained Deacon: Stephen Hayes (to serve in Tanat Vyrnwy Mission Area), Adrian Johnson (Mold Mission Area), Christopher Lawton (Aber Morfa), Natasha Quinn Thomas (Dyffryn Clwyd), Patrick Williams (Mold) and Michael Winwood (Maelor).

Sadly, the roll back of Covid restrictions will not allow us to celebrate the ordinations with much greater access than last year, and a video link will be announced in next month’s Ad Clerum.  Nevertheless, I hope that you will put this date in your diary in order to enable you to keep the occasion with them spiritually and in prayer, and we celebrate their vocation and gifting, and promise of contribution and service in the life of the diocese.

Pocket Testaments – Taith Ffydd, Journey of Faith

The diocese has teamed up with a charity called “The Pocket Testament League” to produce small pocket sized editions of the Gospel according to St John in Welsh (beibl.net) and English (New Living Translation) in order to celebrate the 400^th Anniversary of the Parry Bible, and this year’s anniversary of the Edmwnd Prys Welsh metrical Psalter.

They are ideal small gifts for those interested in reading the Gospel, and include an introduction from me, and a short history of the translation of the Scriptures into Welsh.  We are funding the testaments with significant support from the charity, in order to provide every pupil and staff member in our Church schools with one of these testaments, but we still have copies which can be made available to churches.

Orders for Church use may be placed with Siân here at Esgobty, although your own arrangements must be made to collect the copies ordered from the Diocesan Office.  However, individual copies may be acquired by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Esgobty, where we shall be pleased to put one in the post.  The stamped addressed envelope should be at least C6 in size (equivalent to an A4 sheet folded into four) and should be stamped with a single “large” stamp, and the address to which you would like the Testament sent.

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 they are in your diary, even where the exact format is open to change.

23 May                       Pentecost Confirmation (Cathedral) – postponed.

26 June                       Petertide Priestly Ordinations (Cathedral) 10.00hr

3 July                          Petertide Diaconal Ordinations (Cathedral) 10.00hr

• October Diocesan Conference (venue and format to be decided)

 Notes and Queries

Faithful Stewards

After more than five years work, the Standing Doctrinal Commission has produced a major report on ordained ministry in the Church in Wales. Entitled ‘Faithful Stewards in a Changing Church: Understanding Ministry in Light of the 2020 Vision’, it contains a series of theological reflections intended to promote discussion through the Province. Copies can be accessed through the Church in Wales website, and I commend it to you warmly.  In a day and age when priestly and diaconal ministries are complemented by lay ministry, and are a major investment for the Church, it is more important than ever than we are mindful of what ordained ministry gives to the Church.

To aid discussion and learning, a series of recorded video interviews and online discussions with the authors are being arranged. The first two videos are now available for viewing and you can also download the Report and register for upcoming discussions. The next discussion will be on 10 May at 7.00pm and will focus on the Priesthood. This is an excellent opportunity for both clergy and laity to be both inspired and challenged to help us renew our mission and ministry in the month and years to come.

Funeral Fees

There seems to be some confusion arising about the amount chargeable as a fee for the conduct of a funeral.  Could I just remind all licensed clergy that the maximum chargeable is set by the Constitution of the Church in Wales?

Table of Churchyard and Burial Fees 2021

* For a committal following a separate funeral service elsewhere, at which a different minister has officiated.

Help for clergy, retired clergy and clergy widow(er)s

The Frances Ashton Charity provides one-off support for clergy, retired clergy and clergy widow(er)s who may be facing financial hardship. There are further details of the kind of grants available and how to go about making an application for help here.

Marriage Registration

The government has chosen an interesting time, if already delayed, to implement the new on line system of marriage registration.  All clergy should now be familiar with the new requirements, which come into effect today.

We have learned this last year to be patient.  Covid has proved more resilient than we could have believed, and we’ve not conquered the possibility of variants and resurgence yet.  We pray for countries and places like India, where the virus is resurgent, and pray for wisdom for our leaders as they plan not just our safety, but how to bring safety to the world.  Yet I give thanks for the grace of God evident in so many ways, and pray that this will give us more boldness as we seek to rebuild our common life and proclaim eternal and abundant life through him who died and rose again victorious,

With my continued thanks and blessing,