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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MaY 2010
Ad Clerum * Gwyl Sant Asaff
5ed Mai 2010
Dyrchefwch eich calonnau!
Lift up your hearts!
Dyrchafa ein calonnau, Nefol Dad, |
Lift up our hearts, Heavenly Father, |
Annwyl Gyfeillion,
Mae pobl o leoedd eraill wedi gofyn i mi ai Asaff Sant yw'r Asaff yn Llyfr y Salmau. 'Rwyf innau, wrth gwrs, yn ateb gyda'r chwedlau am ein nawddsant yma yn yr esgobaeth. Nid wyf yn siwr, a fyddwn ni yn cadw ei ddydd gŵyl heddiw (Mai 5ed) gydag unrhyw seremoniol fawr ar draws yr esgobaeth, fodd bynnag. Mae hyn yn drueni tebygol. Fe wyddoch fy mod yn hoff o ddefnyddio'r ymadrodd "teulu Asaff" am yr esgobaeth, oherwydd fy mod yn meddwl ei fod yn rhoi amlygrwydd arbennig i'r gwahanrwydd o'n bywyd gyda'n gilydd. Mae Asaff yn ffigur symbolaidd arwyddocaol, wrth gwrs. Fe ddywedir wrthyf fod y dystiolaeth hanesyddol o'i fodolaeth, hyd yn oed, braidd yn denau, ond mae o'n symbol o'r ymateb arbennig i alwad Crist fel y mae o wedi ei fyw allan yn y rhan benodol yma o'r byd. Gelwir arnom i fod yn Gristionogion fel neb arall yn y byd yn y rhan yma o ogledd ddwyrain a chanolbarth Cymru: i fyw allan yr alwad Gristnogol fel etifeddion i ysbrydolrwydd Asaff a'r rhai oll sydd wedi troedio yn ei lwybr, i wynebu'r sialensau o fod yn gludydd yr Efengyl yn y cyd-destun neilltuol yma. Beth yw ystyr hynny? Mae o'n golygu, mi gredaf, fod yn rhaid i ni yn y lle yma gymryd hanes yr Eglwys o ddifrif - nid yn unig yr adeiladau (er fod rhain yn ysblennydd), ond hefyd yr ysbrydolrwydd maent yn tystiolaethu iddo - ysbrydolrwydd sydd yn unigryw Gymreig, wedi ei seilio mewn mynachaeth llym, ac yn agored i sialensau o wlad gerwin. Hefyd mae gennym sialensau penodol ein cymdeithas fodern, a'r rheidrwydd i ddehongli'r Efengyl i wneud synnwyr i'r trigolion lleol. Felly gadewch i ni gofio ar Ddydd Gŵyl ein noddwr yr alwad arbennig ac unigryw o fod yn Gristion yn y lle yma, yn yr esgobaeth yma, a gofyn i Dduw agor ein llygaid i'r sialensau sy'n eistedd yn union o'n blaen.
Many people from elsewhere have asked me whether St Asaph is the Asaph of the Book of Psalms. I, of course, reply with the tales of our patron saint here in the diocese. I am not sure whether we will be keeping his feast day today (5th May) with any great ceremonial across the diocese however. This is probably a pity. You will know that I am fond of using the phrase “teulu Asaff” for the diocese, because I do think it gives a special prominence to the distinctiveness of our life together. Asaph is a figurehead, of course. I am told that the historical evidence even for his existence is rather thin, but he is a symbol for the distinctive response to the call of Christ as it has been lived out in this specific part of the world. We are called to be Christians as no others in the world in this part of north east and central Wales: to live out the Christian calling as inheritors to the spirituality of Asaph and all those who have trod in his path, to face the challenges of being a bearer of the Gospel in this particular context. What does that mean? It means, I think, that we have to take the history of the Church in this place seriously – not just the buildings (although these are splendid), but also the spirituality to which they bear witness – a spirituality which is distinctively Welsh, grounded in austere monasticism, and open to the challenges of a rugged country. We also have the specific challenges of our modern society, and have to interpret the Gospel to make sense to the local inhabitants. So let us remember on the Feast Day of our patron the special and distinctive calling of being a Christian in this place, in this diocese, and ask God to open our eyes to the challenges that sit right in front of us.
The Reception of Roman Catholics into the Church in Wales
From time to time, members of other denominations find their spiritual home among us. As Anglicans, we do not seek to proselytise, but we recognise freedom of conscience, and the possibility that people may find their home in a new tradition. In the revision of Electoral Rolls which you have been undertaking, you will know that it is possible for people to become members of a Church in Wales electoral roll while remaining members of another tradition, where this has my consent. If people do become regular communicants, however, I hope that the clergy would not be afraid to raise with them the possibility of becoming fully incorporated into our life, and, where appropriate, confirmed. Roman Catholics may wish to enter formally into communion as members of the Church in Wales, and already be episcopally confirmed. Where this is the case, the Bishops have authorised a service for use, the form of which is lodged for our diocese in Esgobty.
Where a baptised and episcopally confirmed Roman Catholic wishes to enter into full membership of the Church in Wales, it is intended that the parish priest should give timely notice to the bishop, and should satisfy himself that the person who is to be received into the Church in Wales has been baptised and confirmed, and also duly instructed and prepared.
The bishop is the focus of Communion in the diocese. As such, it is the bishop who will normally receive members of other Churches into Communion with the Church in Wales. It is intended that this form of service shall normally be used by the bishop in conjunction with the Celebration of the Rite of Confirmation, but it may also be used, with the permission of the bishop, by the parish priest where pastoral reasons dictate. It may also be used for an unconfirmed person before he or she is brought to the bishop to be confirmed.
After the service, the priest should take care that the names of candidates who had already been confirmed are nevertheless entered in the Parochial Register of Confirmations.
Ministry and Calling Sunday
You should have been made aware by now by other channels that the Governing Body has endorsed a new Vocations Initiative, and that the Sunday after Ascension has been named as “Ministry and Calling Sunday”. You should shortly be receiving a mailing on this matter with posters for the Sunday in question, together with sermon nores, and suggested intercessions. I should be very grateful if clergy would make the most of this opportunity in your parishes. The need of the Church for new vocations to all kinds of ministry, but especially the stipendiary ordained ministry, is great, and a focussing on God’s call will elicit, I am sure, a response. This year the focus is on asking the Church to pray – to pray that God will stir us up, and work among us calling out a ministry for a future generation.
Marriage Services
Not only do we have new Marriage Law (about which I wrote last time), but we also now have new Marriage Services. The Governing Body approved a new Rite for experimental use by provision of canon at its last meeting, and this service is now available for use. I know that many clergy have looked for a stronger modern liturgy – and now there is the full range of services – 1662, the old order and the new from which to choose!
Ave atque Vale
Peter Allsworth is moving from his ministry as Associate Priest of Rhyl to become Priest-in-charge of Bodelwyddan. I am delighted that Peter has agreed to hold the fort at this important parish until further re-organisation can be forthcoming. Peter will be licensed on 23rd May.
I am very pleased to welcome Susan Blagden to the diocese from 19th June, 2010. Susan is joining us as Rector of Bangor Is-y-Coed in succession to Adrian Copping. Susan has been Chaplain of Stoke Mandeville Hospital in the Diocese of Oxford, and brings a wealth of experience both in parish and chaplaincy. We hope that she will be very happy in this corner of God’s own country.
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Tony Dilworth as House for Duty Priest in Llansilin. Tony is an experienced retired priest from the Church of England, who has been living in our midst and sharing in ministry for some while, but we welcome this new pastoral ministry among us. He will be licensed on 28th June.
David Francis has been re-appointed Area Dean of Caereinion. We are grateful to David for his continuing and dedicated service to the diocese, and I am delighted to confirm him in this role.
Congratulations to Matthew Burns on being accepted by the Royal Air Force into their Chaplaincy division. Matthew will be leaving us in July to start training at RAF Cranwell. We will miss Matthew but trust that he will come “Per Ardua ad Astra”. Warm congratulations also to Huw Butler, who has been appointed to the living of Llantwit Major in the Diocese of Llandaff. We will be very sorry to be losing Huw and his family from among us, but wish them well as they journey back to their roots in the south.
John Poolman will be retiring from Llanfynydd at the beginning of June, and handing over the reins to his wife, Carole Poolman. John and Carole have been faithful servants of the diocese. We wish John well for the future, and value the continuing ministry that Carole has to offer.
Dates for the Diary
I should be grateful if you could make a note of the following dates:
6th May – On 6th May at 1900hr, the Induction of Stuart Evans as Warden of Ruthin, and Rector of Llanrhydd and Llanfwrog will take place. I am sure that Stuart continues to value your prayers and support.
9th May – Visitation to Caereinion Deanery. The Visitation will begin with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 1100hr in SS Tysilio and Mary’s Church in Meifod.
11th May – There will be an Open House Eucharist, in St Michael’s Church, Kerry.
16th May – Ministry and Calling Sunday.
23rd May – Licensing of Peter Allsworth as Priest-in-charge of Bodelwyddan at 1800hr in St Margaret’s Church.
24th May – Private Service commissioning Shirley Griffiths as Archdeacon of Wrexham. Shirley assumes duties as Archdeacon of Wrexham as of 1st June, but there will be a chance to celebrate he new ministry publicly when she is installed to the prebendary stall of Canon Treasurer in September.
25th May – 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.
6th June – RSCM Diocesan Choral Festival, at 1700hr in the Cathedral.
13th June – The Diocesan Conference from 1430hr – 1800hr in the Cathedral. The theme of this year’s Conference is “Lift Up Your Hearts” and particular attention will be paid to the first of the diocesan priorities. The Standing Committee are working hard to make this year’s conference an interesting and dynamic occasion, and I trust that all members of the Conference will endeavour to be there.
19th June – The Induction of the Revd Susan Blagden as Rector of Bangor Is y Coed, will take place in St Dunawd’s Church at 1500hr.
21st June – Malcolm Squires will be collated and installed as a Cursal Canon in the Cathedral in the course of Evensong at 1800hr.
26th June – The Petertide Ordination will be held at 1000hr in the Cathedral. There are three candidates for ordination to the diaconate. Deborah Kelly will be serving her title in the Parish of Gwersyllt. Neil Kelly (who happens to be married to Debs) will serve his title in the Parish of Llangollen. Adam Pawley will serve his title in the Parish of Newtown. Please keep these, and all our other ordinands and postulants, in your prayers. Diocesan Ordinations of this kind are an occasion when I trust as many of the clergy as possible will endeavour to join together in support as we set apart members of our family for ordained service in the Church, and we welcome these three to our team.
27th June – Confirmation at 3pm at St Giles Church in Wrexham.
28th June – Tony Dilworth will be licensed as Priest in Charge of the Lansilin Group of parishes in
St Cedwin church, Llangedwin at 1900hr.
30th June – Confirmation at 7.30pm at All-saints Church, Newtown.
11th July – Advance notice of Sea Sunday. This Sunday we remember the very worthwhile work of the Missions to Seafarers. This year is a special event since it is also the International Year of the Seafarer. Worship packs are available at www.seasunday.org.
Please continue to remember me in your prayers, as I will continue to support you in mine.
