2nd September 2020
Ad Clerum – September 2020
Ad Clerum
1af o Fedi 2020 September 1st
Annwyl Gyfeillion,
“They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40.31)
I don’t know how the Summer has gone for you – for me it seems to have flown by, and although lockdown is changing, it appears to be far from over. We are having to learn a new way to live – and a new way to operate as a community of disciples in our diocese. To repeat what I’ve said in other fora, I want first and foremost to extend a warm and heartfelt thank you to all of you for the creativity and energy with which you have addressed the last few months in our common life. I hope now, however, that you arrive at September with both vision and resilience, which has been renewed by the change of pace. The virus is still with us, and all the talk is of a second spike. New disciplines are therefore having to become part of our daily life, and opening Church and enabling liturgy and discipleship, and undertaking pastoral care is bound still by quite extensive regulation and necessary preparation. This makes all that we undertake that little bit harder and more painstaking, which in turn can weigh us down or hold us back.
This is why it is so important to refresh ourselves, by pacing what we do, focusing our energies and most importantly, by drinking deep from the wells of the Spirit and by the practice of the presence of God. The verse with which I began is one of the more famous verses of the second section of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, and spoke to Israel at a time when they were weary of their vocation, so that perhaps it speaks to us of the fruits of spending time with God at a time when we are called to renew our strength.
I know that not all of us use the Morning and Evening Offices of the Church in Wales to buttress our prayer lives, but I personally never weary of the power of the Book of Psalms to speak into my life. Almost all of human life is there, and the psalms teach us to be honest to God in opening the secrets and emotions of our hearts to him, whether that be joy, sadness, anger, guilt, confusion or doubt. I remember my Spiritual Director some years ago gently challenging me: “When do you find time to give God the chance to take hold of your soul?” May God bless you in your quiet times and times of prayer with refreshment, grace and hope.
Priestly Ordinations
God willing, I am planning to ordain our Priest candidates on Saturday, 3rd October, in the Cathedral. In the end, the Covid restrictions have not been lifted to the extent I would have hoped, and the rules for the ordination will not be very different from those that applied to our diaconal ordinations in July. Watch this space once again for news of the streaming of the Ordination Service, and although you will not be able to join us physically for the service in the Cathedral, I do hope that you will mark the date in your diaries, and make the time to join us in prayer and to follow the service by Zoom. In the end we had about a thousand following the diaconal ordination in July, and it would be good to have similar numbers supporting our nine priest candidates.
Our existing candidates (Gareth Erlandson, Sally Harper, Simon Piercy, Chris Spencer, Sue Storey, Carol Thomas and James Tout) will be joined by Andy and Rachel Kitchen. Andy and Rachel should have been ordained some months ago in the Diocese of London as they completed their curacies in Holy Trinity, Brompton, prior to joining us to lead Hope Street, but these plans, like so much, were disrupted by Covid. I am sure that you will give them a warm welcome, and support all our candidates as they dedicate their lives to God’s service. I commend all nine candidates to your prayers.
Hwyl a Helo
I am delighted to write here about the appointment of Dominic Cawdell as a Priest-in-charge in the Estuary & Mountain Mission Area, rooted in the communities of Holywell. Dominic has proved himself in his ministry in Alyn Mission Area over the last two years, and will contribute his energy and dedication in his new Mission Area. Dominic will be inducted on 1st November.
I am pleased to welcome Canon Philip Barratt from the Diocese of Bangor, who will be joining us as priest-in-charge in the Aled Mission Area rooted in the communities of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos and Rhos-on-Sea. Philip is an experienced priest with a background in cathedral ministry in the Church of England and in Wales, and we are delighted to have him as part of the team. Philip will be inducted on 1st November.
Finally, we are pleased to welcome Martin Pritchard, who will also be joining from the Diocese of Bangor at the end of this month to take up the role of House for Duty priest in the Denbigh Mission Area. Martin is a young cleric, who has recently completed his training, and to are delighted to welcome him to this role.
Canon Nia Morris has indicated her intention to stand down as Mission Area Leader at the end of this month. I wish to thank Nia for her outstanding leadership in getting the Cedewain Mission Area up and running. Nia wishes to focus her future ministry in building the churches of Newtown in light of the Covid pandemic.
I am sorry to say that a great stalwart among the retired clergy, the Revd Peter Marshall, has relinquished his PTO, as he and Janet are moving to be near family in Yorkshire. Peter has been a great support and encourager to many in the diocese in the years that he has been among us.
It is with sadness that I record the passing of two faithful servants of the diocese, the Revd Neville Davies and the Revd Tegid Jones. Both these priests offered much loved and respected ministries, and we extend our condolences to their families.
Hope Street
The launch of Hope Street is one of those things which has been disrupted by Covid. However, the leadership team is in place, and Andy and Rachel Kitchen have now settled into Wrexham, and been joined by Luke and Bex Bristowe. They have recruited new worship, childrens and youth leaders, and we welcome Steph and Ash Porter to the team. Andy Kitchen writes:
“It has been an exciting summer for the Hope Street project with both staff members and others moving to the Diocese to join the team. We’ve been looking forward in anticipation to moving to Wrexham for a long while and it is fantastic to now be here. The building refurbishment continues to progress, with a lift shaft and stairs currently under construction, and the internal fit-out soon to get under way. In this season we’re looking forward to building in prayer and gathering events and an Alpha course online in advance of the building being ready towards the end of the year.” You can keep up with Hope Street via its website at Hopestreet.church.
Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic 2020
As a diocesan family we continue to be tremendously proud of all of the family who have risen to the challenge of coronavirus pandemic and played a vital role in sustaining the life of our communities and churches. Throughout the diocese there have been many examples of selfless dedication, compassionate care and creative practical action.
I offer you all a reminder that we have designed a certificate to acknowledge contributions from across the diocese which merit our particular gratitude and appreciation; for example, a person who has gone above and beyond to ensure that the essential structures of community or church continue, or who has ensured those vulnerable or in danger are not forgotten.
The certificate is intended to be a simple, yet sincere, way of acknowledging such outstanding individuals within the Teulu Asaph. Certificates can be requested by mission areas through their Mission Area Leader using the form attached. Please send completed forms to Esgobty.
Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Award
Join more than 1,000 members of the clergy who’ve received an Ecclesiastical MBA grant to fund sabbaticals or plans in support of their ministerial development. Grants are awarded to individual clergy in stipendiary ministry in the Anglican Church in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland and are open to Ministers, Archdeacons, Bishops, Deans and Assistants. Applications must be received by 30 September. Further details, application forms and guidance can be found on the Ecclesiastical website.
Diary
This diary gives dates for events in which all priests are encouraged to attend, or required to attend as part of their professional commitment. Since they include notice of dates for 2021, please ensure that they are in your diary. Please note in particular that the residential Clergy School in September 2021 will be a professional requirement for all stipendiary clergy, and that may require additional planning by clergy with families in order to be present. Any potential clashes should be flagged up with the Esgobty team as soon as possible.
Later in 2020
3 October 10.00 Ordination of Priests (Cathedral)
9 December 18:30 Advent Confirmation (Cathedral)
Dates for 2021
1 April Chrism Eucharist & Renewal of Vows (Cathedral)
3 April Easter Vigil and Confirmation (Cathedral)
23 May Pentecost Confirmation (Cathedral)
26 June Petertide Priestly Ordinations (Cathedral)
3 July Petertide Diaconal Ordinations (Cathedral)
9 October Diocesan Conference (venue to be decided)
Autumn has begun well, and the sun shines down on us for a few more days at least. May he who is the Sun of Righteousness enlighten and sustain your lives and ministries,
Thank you,
In Christ,
