Annwyl Gyfeillion

I have become conscious of a number of social posts talking about the disappearance of parish priests, or expressions of concern that the modern Church wants managers more than it wants priests. Few things get under my skin more, and I want to put unequivocally on the record that I believe that the future of the Church is in the hands of our congregations, and the quality of their worship, fellowship and outreach, but that one key element of ministry, amongst all the many gifts of the laity and the ordained, which builds up the life of the faithful is the ministry of the priest. I prize you most, sisters and brothers, not for your administrative abilities, or even the glitz with which you carry out your ministry, but for the quality of your priesthood.

Above all else, pour your energies and labour into your priesthood. Priesthood can be exercised in a huge number of different ways, and it is important for you to play into your strengths, into your charism, into the gifts that God has given you. You may be an excellent pastor, a powerful preacher and teacher, a reverent and holy minister of the Sacraments, but you’re unlikely to be able to be all of these, and part of the whole point of Mission Areas is so that the local congregations have a pool of clergy all of whom can contribute their particular distinctive charism. I know that there are also those among us who have a charism for administration – “administry” as one of my colleagues on the bench calls it. In a shared ministry team there should be ample opportunity to blend skills and talents for each to play to their strengths. And of course, all of us have to play sometimes outside of our comfort zone – I know I do – but always preserve the sacred centre of your calling.

The beginnings of a book open before me, so let me stop here, but please remember, whatever else the diocese might call you to assist with – your first call is to be faithful to answering God’s call, and to be the priest that he calls you to be.

Archdeacons

We are delighted to welcome Emma Whittick as the new Archdeacon of Wrexham and we wish her every blessing as she takes responsibility for the mission areas in the northeastern part of the diocese. Please make Emma feel as welcome as possible and assist her in getting to know her new diocese.

As Emma joins us, I wish to express my gratitude for the sterling work undertaken by Canons Martin Batchelor and Richard Hainsworth in covering many of the archidiaconal responsibilities during July, August and September. They return to their usual busy ministries with our profound gratitude for assisting at a time of particular strain for the diocesan leadership team.

We are hoping that Archdeacon Gerwyn will be well enough to re-commence his responsibilities in the archdeaconry of Montgomery in the middle of October and look forward to welcoming him back with us. In a similar manner to Martin and Richard, Canon Tudor Hughes has been overseeing the life of the south of the diocese, and we are very grateful to him for coming out of retirement to be of such help. Tudor, however, has kindly agreed to continue this work for the month of October to provide Gerwyn with an appropriate transition back to ministry.

We are also grateful to the other members of the Bishop’s Staff team who have been so willing to step in and help with archidiaconal matters as and when needed.

Hellins Lecture 2026

I am pleased to announce that another Hellins Lecture has been arranged for Wednesday, November 11th at 1930hrs at St Deiniol’s Church, Hawarden. The Hellins Lecture is an occasional theological lecture in memory of the late Canon E J W Hellins DD, who endowed a trust to resource theological education in the diocese, which in more recent years has been used to invite a distinguished keynote speaker to the diocese.

This year we are delighted to welcome the Revd Dr Malcolm Guite, renowned poet and Life Fellow and a former Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge, who will be lecturing on the following theme: ”Imagination bodies forth”: Christ and the Poetic Imagination.
Malcolm Guite is acclaimed for his books of religious poetry, particularly his sonnets, which often engage with Christian themes, the Psalms, nature, and the liturgical calendar. He has authored acclaimed collections like Sounding the Seasons, The Singing Bowl, and David’s Crown, and is praised for making faith-infused poetry accessible and inspiring.

As parking immediately around St Deiniol’s Church in limited, you are advised to use the Tinkersdale Car Park (CH5 3DQ) in the village which is a short walk away.

Hwyl a Helo

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Wynn as a Priest-in-Charge in Alyn Mission Area. Mel is currently Assistant Curate at the Wallington Springfield Church in the Diocese of Southwark and she will be joining us to lead the new Mission Hub at Gwersyllt and Pentre Broughton. We look forward to her licensing and the official launch of the Hub at the beginning of 2027.

It is also thrilling to share the news of an engagement, although the good news has travelled fast. Elin Douglas-Jones has accepted Reuben Zwiggelaar’s proposal of marriage. I am personally delighted for the happy couple, as I am sure we all are, and we wish them every blessing as they plan their future together.

We give thanks for the life and ministry of Bishop John Dudley Davies, who passed away peacefully at home in Gobowen last week at the age of ninety-nine years. John was a man of great principle, resolutely committed to justice and truth no matter the personal cost to himself, as exemplified not least in the many years of ministry in Southern Africa where he was one of the significant voices challenging apartheid. In later years, John was to find a true spiritual home amongst the Teulu Asaph, first as Diocesan Missioner between 1982 and 1987 followed by a brief year as incumbent of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochant before being called to episcopal orders as Suffragan/Area Bishop of Shrewsbury. John however never lost his deep love and sense of affinity with our diocese and in retirement became one of our Honorary Assistant Bishops, offering great support and encouragement in many ways, along with his enduring affection particularly for the Tanat Valley. We remember Shirley and the family in their loss at this time but also join them in rejoicing that John has now passed to the freedom that can only truly be found in the eternity of God.

In early September we also lost Canon Dr David Child, another dear member of the Teulu Asaph. After a distinguished medical career as a Consultant Physician, David offered himself for ministry in the Church and was ordained in 2004. Thereafter David provided the diocese with many years of dedicated ministry as a priest, particularly to the communities embraced by the present Maelor Mission Area. David will be remembered as a humble man with a quiet authority, and our thoughts go out to his widow, Diane, at this time.

We also give thanks for the life of John Liston, Canon for Communication at the cathedral. For this and his other dedicated diocesan service over many years based at the cathedral, John was awarded the Order of St Asaph recently. Our thoughts and prayers are with his widow, Jenni, their sons, Brannon and Tal, who all have a special place in the life of the cathedral community, and John’s children from a previous marriage, Chris and Sarah. A Memorial Service for John will be held in the cathedral on Saturday 3rd October at 1400hrs.

Diary and Events

Please read the whole of the diary below carefully. The diary is updated every month to include 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.

It is very important that each of you make a note of these dates. Please ensure that the dates which are a professional requirement are in your diary, even where the exact format may be open to change.

Where a clash with your own plans comes to your attention, please raise it with Esgobty at the earliest opportunity. I am still occasionally getting excuses late in the day from clergy who don’t seem to have planned ahead, or even to have read this monthly diary, and I am much more amenable when approached early to discuss any potential clashes. Where these matters are professional commitments, I expect you to be present as part of the fulfilment of your duties. I am willing to excuse people for good cause, but it is permission from me and not apology that is required.

Forthcoming events

• 8th Octr Diocesan Conference (online business meeting) 19.00-2030 hr
• 10th Octr Diocesan Conference in person in the Cathedral 11.00-1530 hr
• 11 Octr Licensing of Petra Goodband at St Paul’s, Craig-y-Don, 15.30hr

Later in the year

• 1st Novr Confirmation Service, St Mary’s Welshpool, 1530hr
• 11th Novr The Hellins Lecture with Malcolm Guite at St Deiniol’s Church, Hawarden, 19.30 hr (Details above)
• 9th Decr Confirmation Service, Cathedral, 19.00hr

Notes and Queries

Concise Almanac 2026-27 Year B

Once again, we are grateful to Canon Martin Snellgrove for his work in providing us with a user-friendly Concise Almanac. Those who appreciate this simplified form of the lectionary will find the edition for the next liturgical year here.

Retired Clergy Association

All retired clergy and spouses are warmly welcomed to join the Annual RCA service in the Cathedral on 26th November at 1100hrs. Bishop Gregory is hoping to preside, and the service will be followed by lunch, on this occasion also in the Cathedral, following the pattern established at the Chrism Eucharists. Sue Huyton would be grateful for expressions of interest for the lunch and particular dietary requirements so that she can give a rough idea to the caterers. The speaker following lunch will be Liam Evans-Ford, Executive Director at Theatr Clwyd.

Safeguarding Sunday – November 15th

The theme this year is ‘Love Protects’. The theme comes from 1 Corinthians 13, where we’re told that love protects and helps us understand that our Safeguarding obligations stem not from external pressure as ‘yet another thing to do’ but as an act of love. And of course, love is central to our faith.

Resources for Safeguarding Sunday can be found here: Theme: Love Protects and the Provincial Safeguarding Team hopes as many of our churches as possible take part as an indication of their wider commitment to safeguarding.

As I close, I want to pay particular thanks to the doctors and nurses of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. I have learned at first hand again how precious our NHS is, and how generous and unstintingly sacrificial the service is that they offer to those in need. It was once said that the quality of a society can be measured by the way it treats those most in need, and let us pray that our NHS may flourish bringing succour and healing to all those in need, and that our politics will always prioritise such works of mercy within our society.

In Christ,