Annwyl Gyfeillion

Last week, the Bench of Bishops of the Church in Wales were guests of the Church of Ireland for the biennial meeting of the Celtic Bishops (the Anglican bishops of Ireland, Scotland and Wales).  It is like an encounter across parallel universes.  Everything is both incredibly similar across the three Churches, but, at the very point of similarity, different.  We heard from some remarkable speakers – Lord Puttnam, the film producer, and a gay Scottish Muslim who is a Professor in an Irish university.  They challenged us on two important issues – living with diversity, and maintaining trust.

As followers of Jesus, we need to respect all whom we encounter as being created in the image of God, and of equal dignity with ourselves.  We have to be trustworthy partners in life.  This demands, I believe, a commitment to certain qualities – openness, honesty, generosity and hospitality – to sum them up in one theological word – agape, love.  This is not about a flutter of the heart, or a cloying indulgence, but a readiness to act with integrity and to look for the well-being of the other.  It is said that the Apostle John, in his old age and dotage, nevertheless did not neglect attending Church, but repeated to everyone he encountered “Love one another, love one another.”

Our world has sadly become untrustworthy.  Truth is fought over, honesty can be repressed for political advantage.  It is tempting to become more extreme in the face of opposition, to embrace “scorched earth” tactics.  None of this is of Christ.  We each have to ask ourselves – Am I a reliable partner?  Do I act in the best interest of those I encounter?  It is hard work, but it is at the heart of what it means to follow Jesus, who said “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, the servant of all.”  And, to avoid doubt, it is not enough to say, “Well, I never want to be first, so that lets me off …”

You can help me in this task as far as I am concerned by giving me honest feedback, where you feel I fall short, but can we all make it our mission to renew our trustworthiness with one another and with those for whom pastoral charge has been given as we go forward together?

Patronal Festival of St Asaph

I do hope that as many as possible will join us next Saturday for a special celebration of the Holy Eucharist to celebrate our diocesan patron Asaph at 1100hr in the Cathedral.  We will be joined by Bishop Barry Morgan, former Archbishop of Wales, as our guest preacher.  I encourage all of us in the Teulu Asaph to come together for this service of thanksgiving for the inheritance of faith we have received and to pray for our ongoing service and mission in Asaph’s name.  The Cross of Wales will once more be present.

During the Eucharist we will be celebrating significant anniversaries in ministry.  We have been notified that Mary Brotherston and Carol Farrer both celebrate the thirtieth anniversaries of their ordinations to the priesthood as amongst the first women to the ordained priest in Lichfield and Carlisle cathedrals respectively.  We will also give thanks for Alan Tiltman, who celebrates his fiftieth anniversary and Sally Rogers, marking her thirtieth anniversary. And I celebrate the fortieth anniversary of my priesting this year also.

Hwyl a Helo

I am delighted to welcome Lynette Norman back to licensed ministry, as she assumes the role of House for Duty Associate Priest in the West Rural Group of Valle Crucis Mission Area.  Lynette was licensed last Sunday, and it is good to recognize the work and ministry that she has taken on.

I am very sorry to record the death of Peter Heaney.  Peter was ordained Priest in 2016, and served in the Tanat Valley Mission Area with dedication for his remaining years.  He was held in great respect and affection, and we extend our condolences to his widow, Pat. Peter’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 8^th May at St Thomas’, Penybontfawr, at 1100hrs. Clergy welcome to come robed but enter the church through a side door (north side) and sit in the choir stalls. Seating in the church is limited.

Our condolences also go to Andrea Jones on the death of her father, Albert, who has passed away at the venerable age of 104.  We commend Albert, who survived a Japanese War Camp in the Second World War and the South Korea War to become a Chess Champion and calligrapher, into the loving arms of his heavenly father.

Diary and Events                                    

The diary below includes 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 these dates are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.  Where a clash comes to your attention, please raise it with Esgobty at the earliest opportunity.

Please note the new dates for the Diocesan Conference.  I am sorry that these have had to change, and it may mean that we’ve created unavoidable clashes in your diaries.  Please let Siân know if this is the case.

Please also note the dates of Confirmations in the diary.  All candidates are welcome at any of the Confirmations, and this sacramental rite is an important occasion to welcome those who are becoming active in their discipleship.  In many ways I believe that the number coming to Confirmation are the real and best indicator of growing the life of the Church.

May

04 May               Festal Eucharist for St Asaph, Cathedral, and celebration of ordination anniversaries 1100hr

19 May               Pentecost Confirmation at the Cathedral, 1530hr.

25 May               Licensed Lay Ministry AGM with Licensing of Lay Ministers, Cathedral, 1200hrs

(All LLMs are expected to attend and renew their licences)

In future

25 June               The Hellins Lecture, Cathedral, 19.15hr (see below)

29 June             The Petertide Ordination (Deacons and Priests), Cathedral, 1000hr

19 September   Clergy Synod for all serving clergy, in person, location to be decided

22 September    Wrexham MA confirmation service, St Giles’, 1500hrs

17 October         Diocesan Conference online evening session, time to be decided

19 October       Diocesan Conference, in person, all day meeting at Llanfyllin High School

13 November    Mission Area Leader Training

The Hellins Lecture

We are delighted to welcome Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Personal Representative to the Holy See and Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome as our Hellins Lecturer for 2024.  Archbishop Ian welcomes pilgrims and Anglicans from all over the world to Rome, and the Centre runs many courses, and other opportunities to become acquainted with the Eternal City.  The archbishop will lecture on the work of the Centre, and his work as Representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Holy See, and we will be using the opportunity to launch a Welsh branch of the Friends of the Anglican Centre.

The 2024 Hellins Lecture will take place on Tuesday, 25 June in the Cathedral at 1915hr.   Before the Lecture there will be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral at 1800hr for those who would like to attend, and the Lecture itself will be preceded by light refreshments served in the South Transept from 18.45hr.  Please make every effort to join us by securing the date in your diaries now.  The evening will also be an opportunity for the Church in Wales to affirm formally its support for the work of the Anglican Centre in Rome, and it would be excellent to see a good crowd.

Notes and Queries

Clergy Ministerial Development Review

The diocese has reviewed its Clergy Ministerial Development Review (MDR) process and is re-launching a new system later this year. As part of the process, Clergy Reviewers are now being recruited and if you are interested in being considered for this work, please complete this application form which is available on the diocesan website. The process works on a three-year cycle, with a third of the clergy being reviewed by a clerical colleague, a second by their Archdeacon, and a third by a lay reviewer each year. Applications are being invited from clergy who can bring experience from previous comparable work, to become MDR reviewers. MDR reviewers are good listeners, with gifts of wisdom, insight, and the ability to ask the right questions. They are not mentors, but coaches, guiding conversation in such a way as to help all those serving God, to listen for God’s guiding Spirit.

Governing Body Elections

The closing date for nominations for membership of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales is 31 May 2024. All forms etc are on the website here Diocesan Elections – Diocese St. Asaph (dioceseofstsasph.org.uk) . If you would like to consider serving the Church in Wales and this diocese in this way, then please consult our website.  Elections are for a three-year term, and there are two forty-eight hour meetings a year in April and September.  All expenses are paid.

One Body One Faith: All Wales Memorial Service

Many of you will recall the powerful sessions we had with One Body One Faith as part of the September 2021 Clergy Synod, which helped us to look at being a more inclusive church, and how to accommodate different understandings of teaching on human sexuality, while being a welcoming and safe Church.  It’s good to be working with One Body: One Faith again as arrangements are made to host a national memorial service for the loss of, or harm towards LGBT+ lives, following rejection and harm that may have been caused by Church communities. This service will be held at Llandaff Cathedral on Sunday 26^th May at 1730hrs. Bishop Mary and myself will be leading the service and it would be great to see representation from this diocese at that service if any of you can attend.

More information here: https://onebodyonefaith.org.uk/news/memorial-cardiff/.

Permission to Officiate

It is crucial that retired clerics recognize the fact that when they withdraw from public ministry, and surrender Permission to Officiate, this means that they are not eligible for “one-off” Permissions to Officiate on an occasional basis.  Clergy without PTO are still welcome to assist another licensed cleric at occasional offices and elsewhere but otherwise require a permanent triennial Permission to Officiate, with the attending DBS checks and Safeguarding Training.  Where PTO is not held, permission cannot be given to requests to preside or officiate at single services, no matter how close the connection, as the necessary safeguarding checks will have lapsed.

Safeguarding Sunday

Safeguarding Sunday this year takes place on Sunday 17^th November. This is an opportunity to raise safeguarding awareness within our churches, demonstrating our commitment to being a Safe Church, fostering an environment where everyone can worship and participate in the life of the church in safety. The Christian safeguarding charity Thirtyone:eight coordinates this campaign, and provides digital church resource packs that can provide you with everything you need to plan and run your service. These are available when you register with them at https://thirtyoneeight.org/get-involved/safeguarding-sunday/

The Church in Wales is committed to provide a safe, happy, and supportive environment of mission and ministry in which all God’s people can grow and develop in their Christian commitment.

Find out more about our policy and training: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/clergy-and-members/safeguarding/

I give thanks to God for our shared diocesan life, and seek God’s blessing and guidance on all our endeavours.  May God bless you,