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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September 2009
Ad Clerum * Feast of S Lucian Tapiedi
2nd September 2009
“Llefara, Arglwydd, canys y mae dy was yn gwrando.”
“Speak, Lord, for your Servant is listening”
(1 Samuel 3.10)
Martyrdom
Lucian Tapiedi, whom we commemorate on 2nd September, is hardly a “major” saint. I doubt that many churches in the diocese will be keeping his feast day. And yet Lucien represents the modern martyrs. He is one of those chosen for the façade of Westminster Abbey to represent the martyrs of the twentieth century, and comes from a part of the world where death can still well be the outcome of Christian witness, as testified by the martyrdoms of the Melanesian Brothers in 2003. I hope that as you continue in your daily prayers, you will seek to learn more about these modern martyrs in your spiritual journey. Theirs are inspiring stories.
But it seems fitting to wind up the summer holidays with the reminder of martyrdom. Settling down to work again after the lazy, hazy days of summer and a summer break can seem like a little martyrdom. However, there’s a sensible point here. We all learned in our theological training that “martyrdom” means quite simply “witness”, and I suppose that is the serious question. In St Asaph we’re unlikely to face death for our Christian witness, but what sort of witness do we portray to our communities? How is the vicar seen around and about? Self-satisfied, grumpy or difficult? Generous, open-hearted, holy? Which qualities do we represent and set forth in our lives?
Visits and Deaneries
I’m enjoying my visits to you all. By the beginning of August, I have managed to visit around 70 of you – that’s about half way through, and I’m impressed by you all. You’re a faithful lot, taking your ministry seriously, concerned that the Church is going forward in its witness, albeit with diverse understandings of what that witness should be and how to work it out. I’ve been humbled by stories of discipleship, struggle and service. I’m glad to get to know more of you better.
In particular, I’ve been encouraged, by and large, by the quality of fellowship among you, and the desire for such fellowship. Some deanery chapters – far more than one – are meeting weekly! Now the best chapter of which I was a part was in Newport West in my early days of ministry. Monthly get togethers were a treat: the Eucharist, and some open and honest discussion about the concerns of ministry and ministers. I was expecting at least that from the deanery chapters of St Asaph, and to meet weekly seemed on first brush as a little excessive. But no, having talked to you, the practice of meeting, if only even briefly, every Monday morning for mutual prayer (and that is the form the weekly meetings appear to be taking) seems to be paying dividends for those who are doing it.
Yr Iaith Cymraeg (i ddysgwyr yn arbennig/for learners especially)
Yn benodol, rwy’n dysgu beth yw’r gymdeithas Gymreig yma yn y rhan hon o’r wlad. Roeddwn yn disgwyl i sefydlogrwydd Perfeddwlad hynafol, Clwyd a Phowys i fod yn fwy Cymreigaidd na “Monmouthshire” ac rwyf wedi siarad ac ysgrifennu mewn mannau eraill pa mor gyffrous a chymaint rwy'n croesawu hyn, ond mae wedi fy nharo pa mor gryf yw’r Gymraeg a’i diwylliant yma. (Gall hyn greu syndod i rai mewn cyd-destun lle mae’n teimlo fel petai’r Cymry’n eilradd weithiau) Dymunaf yn fawr i fod yn rhan o hyn, ond rwy’n darganfod bod fy Nghymraeg yn waeth na’r hyn roeddwn i wedi’i gredu (ac nid yw hyn yn dweud llawer). Rwy’n ymwybodol hefyd am bob un siaradwr Cymraeg ymysg y clerigwyr, mae tri neu bedwar yn ddysgwyr. Felly gofynnaf gwestiwn i mi fy hunan, sut gallaf wella fy sgiliau sgwrsio Cymraeg, ynghyd â’r bobl sy’n ymdrechu gyda mi, i ni gyd gyflawni’r hyn rydym wir yn dymuno ei fod.
Thank you
I am very grateful for your continued responses to the “administrative” initiatives coming from Esgobty. It has been very helpful to receive information about the practice of parishes with respect to the Admission of Children to Communion, and I intend to collate the material that has been received at the end of this month. If there are any further responses to come in, then please do get them in as quickly as possible.
I have also been writing to Area Deans, and to all clerics holding Permissions to Officiate to review their licences and permissions. I should hasten to add that this is not because I am intending to request the equivalent of a driving re-test! Rather it is to get a clear picture of what the current situation is.
In particular, it is tremendously moving to receive responses to the request to clerics who hold them to send in their Permissions to Officiate. It is easy to look at a list of names in the directory and not to appreciate the immense amount of good will and voluntary ministry exercised across the diocese, and I find myself humbled by the enormity of the enthusiasm and experience which our retired clerics and others holding such permissions express in their letters to me – and the prayers and encouragement offered for my own ministry. I include therefore a heartfelt thank you to all those who assist in leading the worship of the people of God in this place. You are doing great things, and your ministry is very welcome!
Ave atque Vale
We seem really to be getting down to some inductions and licensings now that September is upon us. Philip Clarke (of whom see also below) will be licensed as Priest-in-charge of Caerwys & Bodfari on 3rd September; Adrian Copping inducted as Vicar of Y Famau Five on 7th September, Anthapurusha as Associate Priest in the Rectorial Benefice of Wrexham on 9th September and Stan Walker as Associate Priest in the Parish of Rhyl, 13th September. I trust that we will all support them with our prayers and, where there are particular links, with our presence at their respective inductions or licensings.
I am also glad to announce that Rex Matthias has agreed to take on the role as Warden of Readers.
Both Berw Hughes and Peter Rimmer, ministering in Bodelwyddan, have announced that they will be retiring at the end of this month. It has been good to get to know them albeit briefly, and I want to express thanks on behalf of the diocese for all their hard work.
There were a number of bereavements over the Summer. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Glenys Croft, whose mother, Sidney, died at the age of 92, and to John Thelwell, whose father Joe died at the age of 86, over August. More recently, Philip Clarke’s father-in-law has died (Our condolences go to Jacqui and the family), and Glyn Evans (Reader in Llanfyllin) has lost his son, Alun. We pray that all those who feel loss at this time may know God’s comfort, and may the faithful departed rest in peace.
Vacancies
I have agreed with the Archdeacons that I should advertise the following appointments internally to the clergy of the diocese. For any further details, please contact the relevant archdeacon.
The grouped parishes of Llanasa and Ffynnongroyw have been vacant for a while now, also the benefice of Bangor Monachorum, Worthenbury and Marchwiel, following the preferment of Adrian Copping. The Glyn Ceiriog group of parishes is also being advertised on a House for Duty basis. Ruthin becomes available in October upon Raymond’s retirement. We would clearly like to fill these vacancies as soon as possible, so if you wish to explore a vocation – or even to draw the attention of another to the vacancy – please do take matters forward.
Bob Griffiths is also recruiting for a Team Vicar in the new Rectorial Benefice of Rhos Cystennin. You may have seen the advertisement in the Church Times. I believe that the closing date for this appointment has now passed, but Bob may be willing to look at any last minute candidates!
Calendar
I would like to draw your attention to some specific events happening over the next month or so, in which you may like to participate.
13th September – Diocesan Offering Sunday. This should be well advertised by now, and you should already have your packs and materials ready for use. Please do give it a push. The help we can provide – this year to Hafal and the Samaritans – is a practical expression of our service as a Church to the wider community.
22nd September – CME once again. We meet in Theatr Clwyd at 10am. On this occasion, I will be leading the day on our much-beloved Anglican Communion, which may or may not make the event more attractive to you. Whatever, I look forward to seeing you there, and please let us know in Esgobty if you wish to be excused attendance.
27th September - Back to Church Sunday. Again, details have been fully advertised and circulated. It is probably late, but perhaps not too late, to jump on the bandwagon.
28th September - Open Meeting to discuss the possibility of a permanent Archiepiscopal See in the Church in Wales. 7.00pm in St Joseph’s School, Wrexham, Discussion material for this meeting has already been circulated, and I hope that there will be a representative selection of clergy and laity from across the diocese in order to enable a diocesan response to be developed to the proposal.
29th September – On the Feast of St Michael and All Angels this year, I will be celebrating the Silver Jubilee of my Priesthood. I have decided to mark the occasion by celebrating an Eucharist in the Cathedral at 7.00pm that day. I have also invited two of the priests with whom I was ordained to celebrate with me. It is not intended to be a grand occasion, but I did think that if any of the clergy wished to share this milestone with me, I wouldn’t want them to feel excluded, and am writing now to say that you would be very welcome to join us.
6th October – The first of my Open House Eucharists will be held in Llay parish church at 9.30am followed by Bible study and conversation. I hope that this is an event that clergy will think about coming to. There is no three line whip at all, but I myself will value the opportunity to discuss with the clergy some of the ideas upon which I am currently reflecting, and I trust that it will be a further channel of communication and fellowship.
12th October – The Diocesan Offering Service will be held in the Cathedral at 7pm. This will be the occasion to see the fruits of our labours in September, and to receive representatives of our nominated charities and to celebrate their work. Parishes can return their envelopes at that service or return them independently to Mr Graham Walker at the Diocesan Office.
24th October - The College of Spiritual Direction has its Annual Service an AGM in the Cathedral at 10.00am. This is an important organisation in the life of the diocese, offering as it does, support to all comers in their spiritual pilgrimage. Please remember that the spiritual directors trained by the college offer an immense resource to all who may be seeking help and support in their discipleship – for details contact Huw Butler, who is the Convenor.
The life of the diocese is getting busy. You, I know, will be busy as well. So this letter comes with my prayers and support for all that you are doing. I will look forward to our paths crossing at these various events.
Well, these letters do not get any shorter! They come however with my best wishes for the continued fruitfulness of your ministries, and my prayers.
In Christ,
