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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NOvember 2009
Ad Clerum * Feast of All Saints
1st November 2009
“Llefara, Arglwydd, canys y mae dy was yn gwrando.”
“Speak, Lord, for your Servant is listening”
(1 Samuel 3.10)
Dear friends,
The dead are very present with us in November. On Sunday we will celebrate the victory of those “who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7.14). On Monday, we remember all departed humanity, and next week, we remember those who have fallen in war. All these commemorations which are centred on the past and on those who have gone before us could be quite gloomy, were it not for the fact that we consider them all in the radiant light of the living Christ. As the nights draw in, and we feel the darkness of winter creep up on us, I hope that the light and hope found in Christ will be a counterpoint to the possible gloom of the onset of winter (although I’m sure some of us love the season); that we can allow Christ’s light to warm us andinspire us, as we look to see how, even through difficulty and danger, God leads onward.
Canonries
I have decided that I wish to follow as transparent an appointment process as possible with respect to canonries, and a paper circulated to clergy makes clear the criteria which I intend to apply to vacancies. The paper is intended as a working paper – that is, liable to discussion, amendment and development – but does set out my current thinking. Clergy are also welcome to write to me in strict confidence if they wish to recommend to me a cleric in the diocese who they feel merits consideration for appointment to the Chapter.
Admission of Children to Communion
A paper compiled by my Chaplain (Mary Stallard) based on the responses to my inquiry on this subject has also been circulated to clergy. The Bench of Bishops also had a discussion on the subject at their meeting in October. There was agreement there that the list of guidelines published in 2002 were the current position of the Church in Wales, and that they ought to continue to be observed in the admission of children to communion. In particular, this means that there should be discussion and approval by the PCC of any scheme, a course of preparation for the children who are to be admitted, and a register kept of those who are admitted. (SPCK now produce a specific register for admissions to Communion in their range). If there are any queries, then do please write into Esgobty.
Retired Clergy
Once again, a thank you to all retired clergy who have renewed their Permissions to Officiate. The process is now coming to completion, but I am anxious that none of the clergy who wish to continue serving the diocese in this way should be lost. Could all parish clergy check with the retireds in your parish whether they have renewed their permissions? A CRB check is essential, but once clergy are “in the system”, this is done automatically, so it is only brand new permissions that need checking in this way.
I’ve had a query about the level of remuneration payable to retired clergy when they officiate at Sunday worship. During a vacancy, covering clergy will paid £15 from the 1st January 2010 for taking a service by the Representative Body. It would seem that this figure is a good guideline for the sort of ex gratia payment that could be offered by parishes when retired clergy provide Sunday cover in your parishes.
By the way, a big thank you to Quentin Bellamy, who looks after the Retired Clergy Association on behalf of the diocese. He organised an absolutely splendid annual meeting a few weeks ago, and it was good to see so many there.
College of Spiritual Direction
The College of Spiritual Direction held their Annual Meeting last week. As you know, this association exists in the diocese to offer training, fellowship and resources to all those who wish to offer spiritual direction, ordained and lay. The sort of development in skills that they offer is something that all clergy ought to take seriously, and I’m sure that the College would welcome further participation by the clergy across the diocese. Huw Butler is the convenor of the College, and he can provide further information.
Ave atque Vale
I am delighted that Peter Walker, Associate Minister of the Parish of Hadley and Wellington in the Diocese of Lichfield, has accepted appointment as Team Vicar in the new Rectorial Benefice of Rhos Cystennin. He will be licensed on February 2nd 2010, at the same time that the Rectorial Benefice will be formally created, and all the other members of the team licensed for their new roles.
Bishop Stephen Lowe , retired Bishop of Hulme, suffragan of Manchester, has moved into the diocese. We warmly welcome him and his wife, and look forward to their participation in our life. Bishop Stephen has a particular expertise in ministry in urban settings, and would like to explore the possibility of setting up an “Urban Ministry Support Group” which might meet a couple of times a year. While we may not recognise inner city urban sprawl exactly in the diocese, there are many parishes where the questions and situations are the same, and I welcome such an initiative.
Michael Bennett moved in the summer from the parish of Rhyl and is now undertaking House for Duty ministry in Gloucestershire. We are grateful for his ministry in Rhyl and Llansantffraid-yn-Mechain, and we wish him well for the new challenges as Assistant Priest in the parishes of Dymock and Kempley.
Some of you will have heard that Rex Matthias has been appointed as Vicar of the Parish of St Julian in Newport, in the Diocese of Monmouth. While we will be very sorry to lose Rex and his family, this is a good appointment, and Rex will be in our prayers. He will be inducted shortly after Ash Wednesday 2010, on Saturday, 20th February.
I am sorry to announce that Margaret Robarts has indicated that she is resigning from the Llansilin group after Christmas. Margaret has done an outstanding job with the parishes, and we will miss her in that role, but she has our prayerful support.
We offer condolences to Quentin Bellamy, on the death of his father on 30th September. We are also sorry to learn of the death of the Revd Richard Roberts, formerly a cleric of this diocese, who also passed away peacefully at the end of September.
Dates for the Diary
I would like to draw your attention to some specific events happening in the future, in which you are encouraged to participate.
20th December- Ordination of Sue Moriarty from the Diaconate to the Priesthood. This will be held at St Mary’s Parish Church, Whitford at 10am.
1st April (Maundy Thursday) The Chrism Eucharist will be celebrated in the Cathedral at 1100am. I am retaining the timing that we used this year. I believe that this is the right time for the occasion, and I request that all clergy should put the date in their diary. It is the prime occasion for us in the liturgical year to affirm our collegiality, and to renew our commitment to our common service and ministry. Once again, lunch will be provided for all clergy afterwards. I am giving this service advance notice so that your plans for Holy Week can incorporate this event, and there is every reason to think about bringing your parishioners with you, and giving them an opportunity to reflect on ministry and the wider life of the Church at this key point in our remembrancing of the central events of Redemption History.
26th June – Ordination in the Cathedral. We expect to have four ordinations to the Diaconate. It is another example of the sort of event where the support of all the clergy helps to build up our corporate life.
This letter comes, as always, with my continued prayers and support. May God inspire and uphold you, especially as we approach the Advent and Christmas season.
In Christ,
