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.
Contact
E-mail the Bishop's Office
Tel: 01745 583503
Links
Governing Body Highlights
Archive
MaY 2009
Feast of SS Philip & James
“Llefara, Arglwydd, canys y mae dy was yn gwrando.”
“Speak, Lord, for your Servant is listening”
(1 Samuel 3.10)
Thank You
I would like to begin this Ad Clerum by saying a warm word of gratitude to all those of you who have gone out of your way to welcome me, to welcome Clare and the boys to our new home and life and to the diocese. To those who have written, to me or to the family, particular thanks. You are making the transition an easy one: and all the more exciting as the challenge of episcopal ministry becomes clearer to me. I am holding to my resolution to listen for the ways in which the Spirit is speaking to me through the welter of new encounters, and I would like to speak words of appreciation at this time, as if God is saying, “These are good people; and they are doing good things.” I am enjoying these opening encounters.
Visits to Clergy
I think that the clergy will know by now that one of my priorities on arriving in the diocese will be to find the time to visit you all and spend some time with you in your homes. Not a mean task with 120 or so of you, and one that looks as if it will take well into the Autumn to get around you all. Individual meetings will be complemented by visits to deanery chapters. The main purpose is to get a picture of the diocese as quickly as possible - not a presentation, but an honest picture; and secondly, to get to know you as my priests. The Church is not always good at cherishing her clergy, and supporting them - and, if you will allow me (and it will have to be with your permission) I wish to be a pastor to you in more than just a symbolic way.
Under 25s Work
Tim Feak was asked to give a presentation of Under 25s Work at the Governing Body in April in Llandudno. He did this with a team from the diocese including Ben Lines from Holywell, Hilary Murray from Bala and Captain Rob Barker from the Church Army Bus Project. You’ll be pleased to know that they did us proud. In fact, GB passed a motion which said:
“That the Governing Body warmly thank[s] all those involved the presentations about: the St Asaph diocesan under 25’s work...[and] commend[s] the work of these projects and organisations and the contributions they are making to supporting children, young people and families throughout Wales.”
I have to say that I hope that the second part of the motion is more than a mere formality. The GB will have to do more than listen politely and then move on, particularly when it comes to work with our more youthful members, if we are to flourish beyond 2029. In fact, I was naughty and asked Tim on the spur of the moment to ask every member of GB to do something specific in the follow up to the presentation. He said that he wanted to every member of GB to initiate a conversation when they got back to their dioceses, communities and parishes: “What can we start doing to improve the work with under 25s?” I take it that he wanted every member to be very practical, and to do more than make good resolutions, but to think about practical steps that could be taken to start something new or to give concrete support to something already happening. I would like every cleric to have such a conversation with a colleague or with key parishioners - and I want you to write into Tim or me with the results of the conversation.
Back to Church Sunday
There was also a presentation at GB about “Back to Church Sunday”, which will be 27th September this year. I have to say that I am entirely in favour of this event. It can sound, or even be, a little naff, but I don’t think we should be shy about wanting “bums on seats” in our churches - not because we’re into pew fodder, but because we really do wish to grow as living, inspirational and redeemed communities, and this is one good way to reach out to the circle of people around our congregations who are only just stopping short of becoming regular members of our Sunday worship. The diocesan co-ordinator for this is the Rev’d Vittoria Hancock, and you have to order materials for the great day from her by the end of the month if you wish to use them. The diocese is supporting this by paying half the cost of all the information packs. As every attendee is meant to invite one other to attend a service with them that Sunday, do you think we could aim to double our attendance figures that Sunday? Or at the very least have a go - we were told at GB that having one more was success. There will be publicity for this at the diocesan conference. Also consult www.backtochurch.co.uk
Governing Body
Much else of great import happened at GB - some even of greater import than those I have mentioned. But I am sure that you will read, and ensure that your congregations read, “Highlights” to find all that out, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then we really do have a problem. I suppose that there is always Margaret Duggan’s column in the Church Times.
Maundy Thursday
It was great to see so many at the Chrism Eucharist, and a big thank you to those who organised it - to the Dean, and to the caterers, to Kate Johnson, and the clergy choir, which she organised for the event. Apart from the fact that you’ve already stolen all the chrism between you and left nothing for the bishop, it was a happy event for me.
Rwyf am ddweud yma'r hyn a ddywedais o’r blaen am beidio cymryd arnaf. Dim ond dysgwr yr hen iaith wyf i, a byddwch yn fy ngweld yn ymdrechu gyda hyn, yn enwedig wrth sgwrsio yn Gymraeg. Wedi dweud hyn, rwy’n ymroddedig i weithio ar fy ngallu, a byddwch yn gweld fy mod â gwreiddiau Cymreig parchus, a fydd yn llewyrchu gyda gogoniant y diwylliant Cymreig y byddaf yn ei brofi yn yr esgobaeth hon. Bydd angen eich amynedd Job ac anogaeth arnaf.
I want to say here what I said there about not pretending. I am only a learner of the old language, and you’ll experience me struggling with this, especially if we try talking in conversation in Welsh. But I am committed to work at it, and I think you’ll find that there is a respectable Welsh core to me which will resonate with the glories of Welsh culture that I will encounter in the diocese. I will need generous patience and encouragement
Thank you to all those who made the effort to come, and for those who took the time to write because they had very real reasons why they could not.
Inauguration of Ministry
I want to say a specific word of thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the events of 25th/26th April a pair of happy occasions. The danger of picking out some names is that other important contributors are overlooked, but I do wish to say a big thank you to the Dean and Mrs Potter; to the Cathedral team; to the Organist and cathedral choir for Saturday; to the Archdeacon of Montgomery, the Vicar of Welshpool, and all those who worked hard on Sunday’s Eucharist; to those who support my ministry in Esgobty and the Diocesan office, and everyone else who made a contribution. Both services - although carrying their challenges - were happy events for me, even while they emphasised the ministry that has to be undertaken, and I am grateful for the warmth of the welcome.
Ave atque Vale
Congratulations to the Revd Adrian Copping on his appointment as Rector of Nannerch, Cilcain, Gwernaffield, Llanferres and Rhydymwyn.
The World made New
The text of the Easter Exultet in some Churches include some such phrase as “This night the world is made new”. I hope that your celebration of Easter has been such that the world is being made new for you. With the effects of Spring becoming plain for all to see, we need to capture moments when a spiritual Spring can take root in our hearts, and I close in the hope that each of you are finding some moments for prayer, bible study, conversation with a family member or a friend, even a short break, when you are allowing God to set something new loose in your heart. We all need it.
In Christ,
