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 * Gwyl Dewi Sant
1af Mawrth 2010
Dyrchefwch eich calonnau!
Lift up your hearts!
Dyrchafa ein calonnau, Nefol Dad, |
Lift up our hearts, Heavenly Father, |
Annwyl Gyfeillion,
Yn union wrth i ni ddod i mewn i gyflymdra ein disgyblaethau Garawys, mae gennym Ŵyl Genedlaethol ein Nawddsant, Dewi, ac fe wahoddir Cymry da i ddathlu’r sant a popeth Cymreigaidd. Y gwir , wrth gwrs yw, i lawer iawn o’n hunaniaeth Gymreig a’n diwylliant gael eu ffurfio yn sentimentaliaeth y ddeunawfed a’r bedwaredd ganrif ar bymtheg – y modd y bu i’r genhinen gael ei rhamanteiddio i’r daffodil yn esiampl dda o’r modd y bu i draddodiadau Cymreig gael eu prydferthu. Dwi ddim yn erbyn ychydig o hiraeth sentimental yn ein dathliadau Cenedlaethol, ond fel mae’n digwydd mae Dewi yn awgrym i’n hatgoffa fod yna wir bybyrwch mewn Cymreigrwydd. Mae Dewi yn sant llym, Dewi ddyfrwr, a fyddai mae’n debyg gyda dim ond ychydig iawn o gydymdeimlad hefo’n ffyrdd maldodus a’n diofalwch o gadwraeth yn perthyn i’r Garawys petai o gwmpas i’n dysgu ni heddiw. Mae o yn awgrym fod sancteiddrwydd yn costio, ac y dylai ein hymrwymiad i Dduw fod yn hollol drylwyr. Mae yna berygl fod Cristionogaeth Geltaidd yn cael ei bortreadu’n rhy hawdd heddiw fel rhyw fath o ryddfrydiaeth natur-gyfeillgar meddal sy’n gydnaws ag ysbryd yr oes, ond mi ‘roedd yna hefyd dystiolaeth a galwad am ymdrech corfforol a meddyliol ysbrydol, am gymryd yr alwad i sancteiddrwydd fel gofyniad am ymarferiadau ysbrydol difrifol, ac edifeirwch manwl gywir. Wrth gwrs, mae arnom angen cydbwysedd, a tydwi ddim yn gofyn i glerigion i godi gyda’r wawr a bod i fyny at eu canol yn yr afon leol ar gyfer Boreol Weddi, ond mae angen i ni ofyn y cwestiwn perthnasol i’r Garawys: A ydym ni yn cyfeirio holl arwynebedd ein bywydau a’n canlyniant gyda gwerthusiad difrifol a gonest o drylwyredd ein hymrwymiad?
Just as we’re getting into the pace of Lenten disciplines, we have the National Feast Day of our patron saint, David, and all good Welsh folk are invited to celebrate the saint and all things Welsh. The truth of course is that a lot of our Welsh identity and culture was forged in eighteenth and nineteenth century sentimentalism – the way in which the leek was romanticised into the daffodil being a good example of the way in which Welsh traditions were prettified. I’m not against a little bit of sentimental longing in our national celebrations, but David actually stands as a reminder that there is true grittiness in Welshness. David is an austere saint, the water-drinker, who would probably have very little sympathy with our indulgent ways and lax Lenten observances were he around to teach us today. He is a reminder that holiness comes at a cost, and that our commitment to God should be thorough-going. There is a danger that Celtic Christianity is portrayed today too easily as a sort of soft nature-friendly liberalism that sits well with the spirit of the age, but there was also a witness and a call to physical and mental spiritual effort, to taking the call to holiness as a demand for serious spiritual exercises, and rigorous repentance. Of course, we need balance, and I’m not asking the clergy to be up at dawn and up to their waists in the local river for Morning Prayer, but we also need to ask the Lenten question: Are we addressing all areas of our life and discipleship with a sober and honest assessment of the thoroughness of our commitment?
Chrism Eucharist
It is my heartfelt wish that all priests and deacons of the diocese join me for the observance of the most holy Feast of Maundy Thursday and the Celebration of the Chrism Eucharist in the Cathedral at 1100hr on Thursday, 1st April. At this service, I will ask you to commit yourselves to the collegiality of our service to Christ’s Church together, bless the Holy Oils, and invite you to concelebrate the Eucharist, which was given to the Church on the first Maundy Thursday. Please make arrangements so that you can be with us. This year, I intend that the deacons of the diocese should join me in leading the worship, and all priests, serving and retired, are invited to concelebrate, and to that end I invite you to robe in alb or surplice and white stole. Your congregations are also welcome to join us. The Dean has kindly consented to reordering the Cathedral for this occasion so that we may gather in a circle around the altar together (Although it does mean that I and the Dean would welcome a few committed souls to help us put the Cathedral back to its normal ordering at the end of the event.). I am also planning to provide lunch after the Service for all who can stay. Tickets will need to be booked for lunch (so that we can sort out the catering) – they are free of charge to serving clergy; with a nominal cost for spouses and retired clergy of £3 each. Parishioners are also welcome, but the charge for a ticket for them will be £6. Requests for tickets for lunch should be submitted to Glenys before Friday, 19th March please.
Ave atque Vale
Mary Stallard is taking on a new portfolio of duties. In addition to keeping her current responsibilities as Residentiary Canon at the Cathedral and Diocesan Director of Ordinands, I have asked Mary to take on the role of Co-Ordinator of Ministerial Formation. As the Church in Wales develops its work with Initial Ministerial Education and Continuing Ministerial Education, and as we begin to look more fully at how we as a diocese support clergy through Review and in other ways, I think it is important that we have one of our number who will co-ordinate and develop the work that the diocese undertakes on this front. Mary has done sterling service in Esgobty, keeping both Bishop John’s and my own episcopal ministries on the road, and, as she relinquishes the role of Bishop’s Chaplain, I look forward to the creative energies she will bring to this new role, working alongside Alan Tiltman, who continues with CME, and Tudor Hughes, who continues with IME.
Malcolm Squires has given me an early indication of his intention to retire when he turns 65 in June 2011. Since this will mean a substantial change in the leadership team in the diocese, Malcolm has offered to relinquish his role as Archdeacon of Wrexham at a convenient time later this year to aid the period of transition. For the present, I have asked Malcolm to come in to Esgobty and work alongside me in the role of Bishop’s Chaplain for the next twelve months or so as Mary finishes, and as I begin to discern the future for both these particular offices in our diocesan life.
I am pleased to announce that Andrew Sully has accepted my commission to become Area Dean of the Llangollen Deanery from the beginning of March, as Stuart Evans will be moving on to Ruthin in May.
I am very sorry to say that we’re losing another of our company – this time to England. Gary Owen has been appointed to the Parishes of Eynsford with Farningham and Lullingstone in the Diocese of Rochester. While we’re sorry to be losing him, we offer our congratulations and prayers. Gary will be leaving after Easter, and will be inducted into his new parish on 11th May. We wish him and his family well.
Dates for the Diary
I should be grateful if you could make a note of the following dates:
16th March – Mothers’ Union Festival. The Festival will take place in the Cathedral at 1900hr. Clergy and readers are most welcome to robe for this year's Festival which is based on the theme 'Glorify the Lord' (centring on the Annnunciation). During the service the new Diocesan President, archidiaconal Presidents and other officers will be commissioned for a period of three years in office. The preacher will be Canon Theresa Scott, from the Diocese of Oxford. Theresa is an old friend, and a strong advocate of the ministry of women in the life of the Church.
17th March – That evening will see the Induction of Stuart Elliott to the living of Llanasa and Ffynnongroyw, in Llanasa Church at 1900hr. I am sure that Stuart would value your prayers for that occasion, and your support if you can get there.
21st March – On Sunday, 21st March, the Revd Pam Wright will be ordained to the Priesthood at All Saints’ Church, Denganwy, at 1500hr. I welcome Pam to this ministry, and hope that as many as possible will support Pam by prayer and presence as she prepares for this new phase of her ministry.
1st April – Maundy Thursday sees the celebration of the Chrism Eucharist which will be held in the Cathedral at 1100hr, as outlined above.
3rd April – Easter Eve. The Easter Vigil and a diocesan Confirmation will be held in the Cathedral at 1900hr. Details of any candidates should be passed on to the Cathedral staff.
11th April – I am pleased to say that the Ordination of the Revd Bryn Parry Jones to the Priesthood will take place at St Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay at 1500hr. Once again, I request your prayers for Bryn as he prepares for this step, and I am sure that he would value your support.
6th May – On 6th May at 1900hr, I will be leading the Induction of Stuart Evans as Warden of Ruthin, and Rector of Llanrhydd and Llanfwrog. I am sure that Stuart would also value your prayers and your support.
25th May – A reminder that our next CME Day together will tackle the subject of caring for ourselves and one another. The day will be led by Canon Andrew Clitherow, and will include a Question and Answer session with me. I am particularly keen that all associations in the diocese which work to support clergy (and, for some, the laity as well) in their ministry should have the opportunity to set out their stall – literally – over lunch on the day. If you represent such an association, or wish to begin one, then please make contact with Alan Tiltman as CME Officer.
I hope that my Lent Prayer has proved helpful – certainly all the printed cards went from Esgobty. I continue to pray every day that God will bless our work together, and I hope your plans for Lent and Easter are bearing fruit, and will bear fruit. God bless you.
