ODDI WRTH YR ESGOB...
FROM THE BISHOP...
On this page you can read an edited version of Bishop Gregory's letter to the clergy of the diocese.
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Ad Clerum * 1st December 2010
The Feast of Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon
Dyrchefwch eich calonnau!
Lift up your hearts!
Dear Friends,
It seems that we’re in the grip of an early Winter! I hope that you’re all surviving the cold, snow and ice – and my thoughts and prayers go to all those who feel vulnerable in our communities at this time.
We’ve lived with the motto “Lift up your hearts!” for a year now. As that motto gives way to “Come and See!” about which you will have read my words in the Advent Pastoral Letter, I hope that you see, as I do, the many green shoots of new life (even in the current snowy conditions) which give me optimism and which lift my heart. I place great value on the collegiality which I share with you as priests together in the service of Christ and his Church. The returns that I have received from you in the Articles of Inquiry in my Primary Visitation give me ground for good hope in the encouragements you have identified. I hear of the growing success of “Messy Church” and other initiatives, and the hard work of the diocesan team. At the same time, I know that there are challenges.
At present, the cry “Lift up your hearts!” seems to be particularly appropriate in this Advent season, when the lectionary speaks of the promise of Christ coming into our midst, of God’s redemption being at hand. I hope that as we approach this holy season, there will be much to encourage us in the next few weeks – successful Christingle services, carol services, moments of Christmas outreach – and that our own prayers may be graced to become more deeply meaningful and inspirational.
South West Tanganyika Link Association
I am sure you will have read elsewhere the reports of our intrepid exploratory team who travelled over the Summer to our link diocese of South West Tanganyika (SWT). Their report was received in November by the Standing Committee, and the Standing Committee approved the establishment of a Diocesan Association to take forward the work of turning our link into a greater reality. This is a first partnership link for both dioceses and it is already clear that we have much to gain from it as well as to give.
The material poverty of Tanzania and in particular of our link diocese should spur us on. Clergy stipends are around £60 a month and they are often not paid because the parishes are so poor they cannot pay the diocesan share. Parish priests have responsibilities to travel to missionary stations and may have to commit themselves to walking 15km each way in order to be with their congregations. Yet our brothers and sisters in Christ have enormous spiritual wealth, and the 80.000 Anglicans in our link diocese make them a larger family than the whole of the Church in Wales. They manifest the energy, joy and life of a growing Church which can teach us so much, together with their concern for holistic mission - body and soul.
The report compiled by our team has identified many ways in which we can help, including opportunities to support real mission in South West Tanganyika by using some of our material wealth to support their ministry. There is a desperate need for motorbikes for the clergy and for religious sisters, or to provide bicycles for catechists. To raise £800 would transform the ministry of a cleric or sister by providing the transport which would transform their ministry. Many other projects have been identified which are about sustainability as the diocese wants to move to self sufficiency.
I am delighted that Bishop Stephen Lowe, who headed our team this summer to SWT, has agreed to take on the role of Chairman of the Diocesan Association, and he will be forming a small interim Steering Committee to initiate the work of the association, which is charged with building our links with SWT, and with the fund-raising which will help to make the link a reality in different ways. The hope is that there will be a major Diocesan Lent Appeal to give the link and the Association a kickstart.
Early next year, the report of the initial visit will be made available to parishes, in both written and DVD formats, but the appeal is already open and if parishes or deaneries want to take on a specific project, there is no reason to delay. Cheques should be made payable to “St Asaph DBF (SWT)”
Such steps are only the beginning. We hope for youth exchanges and more mutual visits in due course. Mutual prayer and parish and deanery links will become important and penpals are sought.
Ways of supporting the Association, and joining in its work, will be communicated in the new year, but Bishop Stephen is ready to hear from any who have an interest now, and who wish to help make this link a real force for good in both our dioceses.
Communion by Extension
At its recent meeting, the Bench of Bishops discussed the provision of Services of Communion by Extension in our dioceses. There is a feeling that “mission creep” is happening, and that services are being held in a way not envisaged by the Church in Wales. In the Anglican tradition, of course, only those ordained priest are properly the celebrants of the Eucharist and the leaders of the Eucharistic community. Whilst no instances of “lay presidency” have been brought to my attention, there is a danger that if services of Communion by Extension are provided on a regular basis, that the distinctive actions of the celebrant and the nature of an Eucharistic celebration could become confused or obscured.
Understood properly, Communion by extension allows for communion to be taken out from the main Sunday Eucharist to individuals and communities who are not able to be at the Eucharist of the gathered community. Such services are not intended to replace or supplement the normal ministry of priests to their communities or be part of the regular Sunday or weekday worship of the congregation. Where a priest is not available, it will be normal to hold a Service of Morning Prayer, or of the Liturgy of the Word. Where there are exceptional reasons, permission in writing may be sought from me for specific Services of Communion by Extension. Communion by Extension could be appropriate, for example, where Communion is carried from the Sunday celebration to a community such as residential accommodation for the elderly or nursing homes. Being new to the diocese, I am not aware of any permissions having current force, but I am willing to be approached on the basis set out here.
Lay Ministry
Having said this, I continue to affirm the rich variety of lay ministry within the diocese, and I am delighted that Pam Powell, as Director of Lay Training, is beginning an initial round of meeting Worship Leaders and Pastoral Assistants across the diocese. Pam has asked me to clarify several points with respect to the exercise of lay ministry. Certain guidelines have been indicated in this context.
Worship Leaders do not have my licence to preach. I do give my approval for Worship Leaders to give a talk in the context of Family Worship (with or without visual aids and drama), where this is done under the supervision of the incumbent. Worship leaders operate best as a part of a team with clergy and readers to enliven worship. They should not however be continually put in a position of “filling in” on the rota. Pam has spoken to me about worries that Worship Leaders have reported to her at “being left to it”. One Worship Leader recently spoke to her about the fact that no one had ever observed his leadership of worship ...
In a similar vein, Pastoral Assistants are not trained to exercise the ministry of healing and laying on of hands. This is appropriate where they have received training through recognised courses such as Jacob’s Well. This is a 2/3 year training course endorsed by the Church in Wales. If you have questions or concerns, then please do not hesitate to raise them with Pam.
Ave atque Vale
I am sorry that we will be losing the ministry and wisdom of Alan Chesters as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the diocese. Alan has lived on our borders for some years now, and offered great service and support to the diocese. He and his wife, Jenny, are moving to the College of St Barnabas later this month, and we wish them well for the continuing but evolving retirement.
I have accepted the resignation of Linden Fletcher from the living of Llanfair Caereinion and Llanllugan. Linden joined the Teulu Asaph about three years ago, and made strenuous efforts to learn Welsh and to settle among us. Unfortunately, her mother is not well, and Linden has decided to give up ministry at the present in order to tend to her family.
We wish Peter Mackriell well as he leaves his various roles in the diocese to take up the position of Priest in Charge at Kelsall in the Diocese of Chester. Peter has made a great contribution to the life of the diocese at Communication Officer, and undertaken a valued and successful ministry in his other roles, especially with the Deaf Community. His many contributions will be missed. I understand that he will be inducted in Kelsall on 6th February.
Dates for the Diary
December 5th The Visitation of Bangor Deanery will begin at 11.00 in St Mary’s, Overton
December 7th Diocesan Advent Confirmation in the Cathedral at 18.30hr.
December 8th The Induction of Philip Chew to the Llanbedr DC Group of parishes, and his Commissioning as Area Dean of Dyffryn Clwyd. The service will be held in St Garmon’s, Llanarmon yn Iâl, beginning at 1900hr.
December 12th The Visitation of Denbigh Deanery will begin at 10.30 in St Mary’s, Denbigh
January 16th The Visitation of St Asaph Deanery will begin at 11.00 in the Cathedral
January 22nd The Induction of Jacqueline Carter as Vicar of Rhosllanerchrugog 1500hr
Notes and Queries
Rural Hub Seminars
A reminder of the excellent series of seminars being held on rural issues by the Church in Wales at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells. Details are advertised on the web, or a listing is available from Glenys.
Readers’ Vesture
I have noticed an increasing change of fashion among the readers in that some readers are beginning to robe in scarf and alb. I should be grateful if clergy could bring it to the attention of their readers that the correct vesture for readers is choir dress and the scarf is to be worn over the surplice and cassock. Where an alb would be more appropriate – for example if they are serving – the scarf should not be worn, as the alb is an Eucharistic vestment, and the scarf a part of choir habit. This specification is clearly outlined in the Readers’ Licence.
Visitations
Having completed twelve visitations, it is clear that some questions remain in the air:
Are Readers required to attend?
I do intend that readers should be present for the formal part of the Visitation in the afternoon. They should bring their licences with them for renewal.
Should clergy bring their licences for endorsement?
It is not necessary your letters of orders and licences, but provision is made to examine them and endorse them, should you wish. I am happy to apply a stamp where desired.
With my prayers for your celebration of Advent, Christmas and the New Year,
