Annwyl Gyfeillion,

I had the joy of attending a Vocations Day recently, organized by Alex Mayes, our Vocations Officer, and Pam Powell, our Director of Ministry.  It was a delight, although not entirely unexpected, to be met with the buzz and excitement of a large group of people, of all ages and backgrounds, all of whom were at some stage on the journey to answer God’s call in their lives.  God constantly amazes me with the way in which he blesses us with a rich number of vocations, and we celebrate this manifestation of God’s grace in our common life.  Please pray for everyone embarking on ministry, and for those dozen or so who will be going through discernment processes this year.

Their enthusiasm and curiosity about the Church remind us all that we need to nurture and sustain our own vocation, and constantly recall the story of God’s grace in our own lives.  It is too easy to forget the passion with which we embarked on the journey of faith and vocation, and to become weighed down with the challenges of ministry and difficult relationships.  I find myself thinking often of that phrase about Jesus “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” in Hebrews Chapter 12.  He kicked off my own experience of God, and the call to become a priest in the Church in Wales, and I can rely on him to be faithful if I stick to walking in the ways that he sets before me.  It is true for all of us.  The Christian journey and the journey of ministry is a journey of highs and lows, of moments of brilliant joy, and Bunyan’s Slough of Despond, but “he who began this good work in you will bring it to completion.” (Philippians 1.6)

Diocesan Conference, 12 and 14 October

The 2023 Diocesan Conference in October will take a different format. The business elements of the conference will be online, while we will look at our diocesan life and vision in person a few days later. An initial mailing has now been sent out, but please remember that the conference is a professional commitment for all clergy, unless permission for absence has been sought from me directly.

• 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 Andrew John, who will be speaking about the commitment of the Church in Wales to support evangelism.

Visit the conference pages of the website at https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/diocesan-conference/ for further information and conference papers.

Diary and Events                                    

The diary below includes all known dates for events that all clergy are required to attend as part of their professional commitment, together with opportunities to build up our common life by supporting significant moments for our colleagues.  I must admit some bemusement when clergy communicate to me that they didn’t know a date, or a change of location, when we work hard to ensure that this listing is as up to date and forward looking as possible.  Please ensure that these dates are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.

October

12          Diocesan Conference business meeting on Zoom 1900-2100hrs

14          Diocesan Conference worship & addresses, Cathedral, 1400-1600hr

November

21           MAL Training Day

26          Ordination of Wendy Gardner to the Diaconate, All Saints’, Newtown, 1430hr

December

6             St Nicholas Day Confirmation, Cathedral, 1900hr

13, 15 & 16  Advent Ember Days

Dates for 2024

30 January   Clergy Synod, to be held on line.

28 March      Chrism Eucharist, Cathedral, 1100hr

25 May          AGM and Licensing of Lay Ministers, Cathedral, 1200hrs

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

19 September   Clergy Synod for all serving clergy, in person.

12 October   Diocesan Conference

Hwyl a Helo

We congratulate Grace Lomas, on the news of her engagement to Ben Jones, of the diocese of Swansea and Brecon.  I am delighted to see this young couple making the commitment to share their lives, and we wish them every happiness for the future.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea de Vaal Horciu as an Associate Priest in the Estuary and Mountain Mission Area, serving in the Holywell Mission Hub Church.  We welcome Andrea, who formerly lived in this area, from ordained ministry in Australia.

In addition to the list of Pastoral Chaplain circulated at Synod, I am delighted to announce that Christine Browne and Jane James have accepted my invitation to join the ranks of Pastoral Chaplains.  These priests are available to all those in ordained and licensed ministry to support them, and a revised contact list is provided.

I have received the resignation of Phil Bettinson, who is leaving full-time stipendiary ministry.  Phil has ministered with a great concern for those on the edge of society among us since his ordination. We’re sorry to lose his contribution to the life of the Teulu Asaph, but we wish him and his family well for the future.

You may be unaware that our former colleague Steve Willson is taking early retirement at the end of this month on ill health grounds. Steve served as Vicar and MAL in Pool whilst with us but moved to the Diocese of Llandaff and is currently Vicar and Ministry Area Leader in the Gareth Ministry Area. Steve and his wife Jennie ask if you would keep them in your prayers.

We were sorry to learn of the death of Clive Tucker who after a career in education was ordained in the diocese in 1996 and served as NSM in the Wrexham area in Gresford, Holt, Rossett & Isycoed before becoming PTO in 2009.  We send our sincere condolences to Geraldine, his wife, all his family.

Notes and Queries

Concise Almanac 2023-24 Year B

Those who appreciate this simplified form of the lectionary will find the edition for the next liturgical year here: Concise Almanac Year B 2023-24.  We are grateful as ever to Canon Martin Snellgrove for his work each year in providing us with a user-friendly Concise Almanac.

Apprenticeships

At synod, you were given important information about this new opportunity to work with St Padarn’s, the diocese and Welsh Government to sponsor a young person to obtain a year’s work experience and Christian ministry qualification, which will run in the first instance between September 2024 and August 2025.  Further copies of this material can be obtained from Pam Powell as Director of Ministry.  As a scoping exercise, we need to find out how many apprenticeships we could sponsor next year, and so it is important that all those interested return the “Expression of Interest” forms that we distributed as soon as possible.

Asaph 1450

We are now moving towards the close of our Year of Jubilee, and I hope that you have availed yourself of the opportunity to deepen your appreciation of your faith and of the God who leads us into the future.  I’ve received many reports of the Shared Ministry Team retreats that have been happening, and of other celebrations.  You will remember that we suggested that all those able should find the inside of a week during the Kingdom season to put aside some time for Re-Creation Days, when we could give ourselves to activities that revive the soul and sharpen our ministry.  I myself have put 1st-3^rd November, and the 5^th and 6^th down as my five creative days.  I’m not entirely sure how I’ll spend them yet, but I am keeping them firmly in the diary, without normal commitments, to ensure a time of refreshment and re-energising.  Archdeacon Barry used July in this way, and Archdeacon Andy has been taking a short sabbatical in August and September.  I hope that you will manage something appropriate.

Distributable Christmas Cards

Once again, we are going to provide a Christmas Card for mission areas / churches to download, with the ability to customise with local information on Christmas services and send out inviting people to come to church over Christmas. The cards will be available in November from our website and more information will follow.  Please plan how you might make use of this resource in your Christmas outreach.

Pioneer Evangelism Conference 

Date: 27 November 2023.

Time: 12midday – 9pm

Location: Vfairs Virtual Platform – Pioneer Evangelism Conference (vfairs.com)

St Padarn’s Institute is hosting a Pioneer Conference for anyone interested from the Church in Wales, which will be held on a virtual platform allowing you to join from anywhere and accessible to all. The day will include inspirational talks from keynote speakers, workshops, opportunities to share ideas and pray about all things Pioneering. The conference is free and you can find all the details, including how to book at Pioneer Evangelism Conference (vfairs.com).

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Our diocesan Mothers’ Union is joining with the worldwide MU movement and 6000 other organisations in 185 countries in focusing on gender-based violence with The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.  This begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through until International Human Rights Day on 10 December.  Gender based violence is one of the most widespread violations of human rights and it can affect anyone at any time and it takes many forms. It can be part of a damaging cultural norm or hidden behind closed doors; it can be very difficult to ask for help. I do encourage all churches to keep this important issue in mind and support the 16 Days whether or not they have a MU branch locally.    Information and resources can be found here:  Domestic Abuse Campaigning Resources | Mothers’ Union (mothersunion.org)

A warm thank you for joining me at the Clergy Synods last month.  Siân has circulated an evaluation form, and honesty is encouraged!  It was good to spend time with you, and I wish you all every blessing on your ministry and service in the name of Our Lord.