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 * 3rd July 2010
Saint Thomas the Apostle
Dyrchefwch eich calonnau!
Lift up your hearts!
Dear Friends,
I think we can all probably identify with Thomas. It is this apostle who seems to share with us the struggle of the journey of faith. It is Thomas that is always inquiring about the meaning of things (John 14.5), Thomas who is reluctant to believe in the Resurrection (John 20.25), Thomas who is always frank with Our Lord about his worries and difficulties with faith (John 11.16).
I know I think of Thomas as some sort of patron, since he reminds me that discipleship is not about the smooth path to success, but about questioning, about honesty, about journeying. Things, I hope, will be getting a little quieter for you over the summer, but I hope that the quieter time won’t stop you reflecting on how you can be “human” with your parishioners.
One of the clergy told me a little while ago that my occasional loss of voice was a bonus because it allowed the clergy to see my vulnerability. I do feel vulnerable a lot of the time, and weak when faced with the challenges of ministry as your bishop, but my fellow priest was right – showing vulnerability, the reality of our discipleship, is a sign of good ministry, not a sign of weakness.
Some of the clergy have been very honest with me over the last year. In my sight, this makes them all the better clergy not worse. I am touched by their readiness to trust me, and by the integrity that is demonstrated by being ready to open out to me as a Christian brother. This enables mutual ministry and, I hope, is some way to make space for Christ’s healing to enter in.
Thank you, Thomas, for your weakness in Christ, and for the honesty of your faltering discipleship. May we, like you, discover the strength in Christ to be faithful disciples.
Visitations
There will be two further Visitations taking place this month. Just to clear up one or two points. I do expect all beneficed clergy, or clergy with any kind of licence or permission, including retired clergy to attend with all Churchwardens and those with any form of licensed lay ministry. Although there is no formal inspection of licences and letters of orders etc, those who wish may bring them for inspection and get a fancy stamp and my autograph upon them. This is entirely optional, except for readers, who do need to have the annual renewal of their licences.
Ordination
It was good to see clergy at the Ordination last Saturday. I am sure that we will continue to support Adam Pawley, Neil Kelly and Debs Swann and their families in our prayers, and in the welcome we give to them in our parishes. May God bless these new ministries.
It is a tremendous boost to anyone new to or established in the diocese to have the support of colleagues at such events. September will see a rash of licensings or inductions. Please see if your diary permits you to attend. Could Area Deans also remember to spread invitations among our ecumenical colleagues in ministry as they are very welcome to share with us in the celebration of a new ministry.
Our Diocesan Link (South West Tanganyika)
I am delighted to inform you that our first team visit to South West Tanganyika will take place at the beginning of August this year. The team will be led by Bishop Stephen Lowe, on my behalf, together with Jonathan Abbott, Ros Crawford, Vittoria Hancock, David Lewis, Pam Powell, and Bill Rowell. Please keep our “apostles” in your prayers. The WCC have a habit of calling such ambassadors “Living Letters”, and we send this team asking them to convey our greetings, to participate in mission, and to bring back to us good news about how the Gospel and the Anglican Communion flourishes in the fertile soil of Africa.
Ave atque Vale
Sally Rogers is becoming Rector of the grouped parishes of Petryal and Betws yn Rhos, in succession to Rex Matthias, Sally will be leaving Royal Holloway College in London, where she has had a very successful ministry as Chaplain, and we are delighted to be inheriting her talents in this diocese.
Ian Forster will be taking up the position of a Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice of Hawarden. Ian brings considerable experience as a Parish Priest in the Diocese of St David’s. We look forward to welcoming Ian in the autumn.
I have invited Heather Fenton to take up the role of Area Dean for Penllyn and Ederynion in succession to Sandra Roberts. We welcome Heather to this role, and wish her well, and thank Sandra for her faithful ministry over the last five years.
Our sympathies go to Bill and Ann Rowell on the death of Ann’s stepfather, Brian Woodward, and to the family of Vrynach Griffiths, retired Priest of this diocese, who died earlier in June.
Dates for the Diary
4th July – The Visitation to Rhos Deanery. The Visitation will begin with a Celebration of the Holy Eucharist in St Paul’s, Colwyn Bay, and will be followed by lunch, with the formal business of the Visitation being conducted at 1400hr.
5th July – Confirmation in St. Tecla’s Church, Llandegla, at 7.00pm
11th July - Confirmation at St Matthew’s Church, Buckley, at 6.00pm.
13th July – Open House Eucharist. This will be held in St Ffraid’s Church, Llansantffraid Glan Conwy. 0930hr-12 noon as usual. Attendances have been okay but hardly crowded at recent Open House Eucharists. I value them as opportunities to worship, study and have frank discussions with the clergy, but I’m beginning to wonder how valuable people are finding them. Feedback would be helpful in determining how many I plan for 2011.
25th July – The Visitation to Mold Deanery. The Visitation will be preceded by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist in St Mary’s, Mold at 11am. Participants are invited to join the bishop for lunch and the Visitation will begin at 2pm.
2nd September – the Licensing of the Revd Sarah Errington as Team Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice of Wrexham in St Giles’ Church, Wrexham, at 1900hr.
3rd September – the Induction of the Revd Sally Rogers to the Parishes of Petryal and Betws yn Rhos, at 1900 hr in St Mary’s Church, Llanfair Talhaearn
5th September – the Visitation to Llanrwst Deanery. The Visitation will begin with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 11am in St. Paul’s Church, Craig-y-Don; participants are invited to join the bishop for lunch and the Visitation will begin at 2pm.
6th September – the Induction of the Venerable Shirley Griffiths as Rector of Llandegla, which will be held at 1900hr in St Tecla’s Church, Llandegla.
10th September – the Licensing of the Revd Ian Forster as Team Vicar in the Rectorial Benefice of Hawarden will be held in St Mary’s Church, Broughton, at 1900hr.
12th September – the Visitation to Wrexham Deanery will begin with a Festival Service in St Giles’ Church, Wrexham, at 11am.
The Octave before the Feast of St Cyprian – Education Season. The Church in Wales has designated the eight days leading up to the Feast of St Cyprian, Doctor of the Church, as an Education Season. The idea is to take a period close to, but slightly after, the start of the school year when parishes can establish some sort of connection with their local schools, whether they are Church schools or not. You may wish just to inform them that you will be praying for them, or offer to do an assembly, or invite them to a special service, and to find some other way of support or collaboration. The field is yours – but the octave is designed to give the widest possible field for contact between you and the local schools. Please consider arranging something!
19th September – the Ordination of the Revd Mike Powell to the Priesthood will take place in St John the Evangelist, Pool Quay at 1500hr.
21st September – CME Day at the Ramada Hotel, Wrexham. The topic will be “Worship” and our thinking will be led by Joanna Love of the Iona Community. The day will begin with coffee from 09.30hr with a prompt start at 10.00hr.
26th September – The Installation of the Chancellor of St Asaph, His Honour Judge Roger Dutton DL, and the Archdeacon of Wrexham, the Venerable Shirley Griffiths, in the Cathedral Church of St Asaph will take place at 15.30hr.
I am grateful for the continued support of so many in the life of the diocese, but would like to offer particular thanks here to our diocesan officers, and all those who worked to ensure a successful Diocesan Conference. I also take this opportunity to wish you well for any Summer breaks that you may be taking. In Christ,
