www.dioceseofstasaph.org.uk
Sharing Good News with the Family of the Diocese
June/July 2013
Rural Parishes devastated by heavy snow
INSIDE INSIDE INSIDE •Year of Pilgrimage launched in style p11 •Introducing our new Curates . . . . . . . . p8 •And a novel way to raise Parish Share in South West Tanganyika . . . . . p6
A north Wales farmer has described his heartbreak at losing more than 80 sheep during horrendous snowfall at the end of March. The terrible weather just before Easter couldn’t have come at a worse time for farmers like Glyn Jones from Cwm y Geifr Farm in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.
Many of his ewes were preparing to give birth to their lambs and a number were lost when they were born underneath huge snow drifts because he simply couldn’t get to them. “Eight to ten inches of snow was predicted for high ground,” Glyn reflected. “We prepared by taking extra silage the day before. Sadly a large proportion of dead sheep were found near the feeders. When the huge drifts finally melted the sheep had stayed close to the silage rather than using their natural instinct to find safe shelter.” Continued on page 4 . . .
Bydd yr ARGLWYDD yn gwylio dy fynd a'th ddod yn awr a hyd byth. (Salm 121.8) The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Psalm 121.8) Roedd dod i mewn a mynd allan yn thema bwysig i ysgrifenwyr yr Hen Destament. Yn achos brenin, roedd y mynd a dod seremonïol o ddinas yn nodi ei awdurdod, a chyfnod pan roedd modd i’r werin ei weld. Yn achos unigolyn cyffredin, roedd mynd a dod yn cynrychioli cyfnod o newid, a pherygl o bosibl, gan adael diogelwch cartref i ymwneud â byd ansicr. Gan hynny, roedd cynnig bendith ar y “mynd a dod” yn arwyddocaol i bawb. Yn yr Eglwys heddiw, rydym yn aml wedi bod yn well am “ddod i mewn”: yn gobeithio gweld cynnydd yn nifer y mynychwyr, ac o bryd i’w gilydd yn gwahodd rhai i ddod gyda ni. Serch hynny, mae’n wir dweud mai dim ond os oes rheswm arbennig y bydd y rhan fwyaf o bobl yn dod i’r eglwys – ar gyfer bedydd neu briodas, Sul y Cofio neu’r Cristingl. Efallai bod hynny’n wir gan nad ydym, fel Eglwys, wedi bod yn rhai da am “fynd allan”, mynd â’n neges allan i’r gymuned, byw dysgeidiaeth Iesu yn ein cymdeithas. Rwy’n gwybod fod nifer o’n haelodau yn bobl allweddol sy’n gwneud gwaith elusennol a chymdeithasol ledled gogledd a chanolbarth Cymru, ond yn aml nid yw gwaith o’r fath yn cael ei gydnabod am y ddisgyblaeth Gristnogol mae’n ei gynry-
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chioli, ac mae’r Eglwys wedi bod yn well am weld Teyrnas Dduw fel rhywbeth sy’n perthyn i’r byd a ddaw, yn hytrach na rhywbeth i ymdrechu tuag ato a’i dystiolaethu yma, nawr. Dyna pam rydw i bob amser o blaid mudiadau yn yr Eglwys sy’n ceisio cysylltu â’r byd, sy’n ceisio byw ymrwymiad angerddol Duw i iachâd a gobaith, i gymdeithas a chyfiawnder, i heddwch a chymod. Cymerwch olwg ar ymgyrch OS http://enoughfoodif.org/, neu ein cysylltiad â SWT www.churchinwales.org.uk/asaph/life/ society/world.php, neu TCC www.tcc-wales.org.uk/ i weld y math o beth sydd gennyf dan sylw. Efallai mai’r union adeg y bydd pobl yn ein gweld ni yn newid y byd, a thystiolaethu drwy ymroddiad i’r cariad, y trugaredd a’r grym a ddatgelwyd yn Iesu, y gwnawn nhw ddweud “Dyna i chi fudiad yr hoffwn i fod yn rhan ohono!” Mae ein Blwyddyn Bererindod, a lansiwyd mewn steil ddechrau Mai, yn wahoddiad i “fynd allan” – nid ar bererindod draddodiadol yn unig, na hyd yn oed ar daith ffydd, ond i fentro yn ein ffydd i newid y byd.
Coming in and going out was an important theme for the writers of the Old Testament. For a king, ceremonial entries and exits from a city marked his authority, and a time when he was accessible to the common folk. For the ordinary person, coming in and going out represented a time of change and possibly danger, leaving the security of home to engage with an uncertain world. To offer a blessing for “going out and coming in” was therefore of significance for all people. In the Church today, we have often been better at the “Coming in”: hoping to see an increase in Church attendance, occasionally even inviting people to come with us. However, truth be told, most people now will only come to church if there is a special reason – for a baptism or wedding, for Remembrance Sunday or Christingle.
passionate commitment to healing and hope, to community and justice, to peace and reconciliation. Take a look at the IF campaign http://enoughfoodif.org/, or our link with SWT www.churchinwales.org.uk/asaph/life/ society/world.php or TCC www.tcc-wales.org.uk/ to see the sort of thing I mean. Perhaps it is precisely when people see us changing the world, and witnessing by commitment to the love, mercy and power revealed in Jesus, that they will say “Now that is a movement of which I want to be a part!”. Our Year of Pilgrimage, launched with panache at the beginning of May, is an invitation to “go out” – not just on a traditional pilgrimage, or even the journey of faith, but to venture forth in our faith to change the world.
Perhaps that is precisely because, as a Church, we’ve not been so good at the “Going Out”, taking our message out into the community, living out the teachings of Jesus in our society. I know that many of our members are actually key people in charitable and society work across north and mid Wales, but such work is often not recognised for the Christian discipleship it represents, and the Church has been better at seeing God’s Kingdom as something that belongs to the after life, than something to be striven for and witnessed to in the here and now. Bishop Gregory has started his second Episcopal That’s why I’m always in Visitation which will span 2013 and 2014. His first stop favour of movements in was the Deanery of Pool at St John’s Church in Pool Quay the Church that try to before visiting Cedewain and Mathrafal Deaneries. You can find out when the Bishop is visiting your Deanery on connect with the world, our website. that try to live out God’s
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In total around 24 inches of snow fell on Glyn’s farm and it was worse in the drifts as the wind caused many feet of snow to pile up in the corners of fields, blocking gateways to the livestock. Glyn said getting through the snow to feed the sheep that were still alive was hard work but worse was to come. “Once the snow started melting, the full horror emerged,” he said. “The big losses were as suspected around the feeders and in total over 80 sheep had lost their lives through suffocation.“ Only one of Glyn’s silage feeders avoided being covered in a snow drift and even then six ewes were found frozen to the metal container. They were alive but exhausted from trying to get free. Glyn Jones has had to hand-rear orphaned lambs
“I hope a tragedy on this scale only occurs once in a lifetime because as a stockman through and through it was heartbreaking to see how my ewes had suffered and how powerless I was to help.” Despite the snow melting and giving way to spring sunshine, the devastation may well be felt for months to come in our farming communities because of the financial implications of losing so many sheep. Mel Jones is Regional Welfare Officer for RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and has been to farms in Glyn Ceiriog, Llanrhaedr ym Mochnant and
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Llanrwst who each lost 150 sheep and lambs. He said it’s topped off a miserable year for farmers: “The snow has caught the imagination but the problems were already there after heavy rain in the autumn and the cold spring. We’ll expect a spike in farmers needing our help in September and October because they’ll be down on the number of lambs they would normally sell.” Meanwhile churches in our rural parishes have offered to support farmers in any way they can. The Archdeacon of Montgomery the Venerable Dr Peter Pike has worked with Rural Life Advisor Revd Heather Fenton to write to farmers devastated by the weather. Part of the letter reads: “We recognise that there is perhaps very little that we might be able to do for you practically at this time, but please don’t hesitate to ask if you think there might be. We wish to support you to the best of our ability. “Please be assured of our prayers, and please feel free to come and sit in our church for a while, if you wish, for some quiet in the middle of what must be a very hectic time.” The Farm Community Network (formerly Farm Crisis Network) is available for farmers across the UK and has a confidential helpline to offer support to those in need. The helpline is open 365 days a year from 7am to 11pm and can be contacted on 0845 367 9990. Mae’r Rhwydwaith Cymunedau Ffermio (Rhwydwaith Argyfwng Ffermio, gynt) ar gael i ffermwyr ledled y Deyrnas Unedig, ac mae ganddo linell gymorth gyfrinachol i gynnig cefnogaeth i’r rhai mewn angen. Mae’r llinell gymorth yn agored 365 diwrnod yr wythnos rhwng 7am ac 11pm, a gellir cysylltu â nhw ar 0845 367 9990.
IF Campaign aims to tackle global hunger Members of Christian Aid from around the Diocese have been working hard to promote the IF Campaign – the largest coalition of charities and pressure groups since Make Poverty History in 2005. Aiming to tackle the causes of global hunger, the Campaign is seeking to explain that there is enough food to feed the world IF changes are made to structures and work is done to address issues like multi-national companies not paying enough tax. Christian Aid joined CAFOD (the Catholic aid agency) to launch the IF Campaign in Wrexham in January and since then work has been done in the Diocese to highlight its work. In April, campaigners gathered with local Assembly Members Antoinette Sandbach and Llyr Huws Gruffydd at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Trevor before walking to Llangollen with their IF banners. Among the walkers was Cecilia Cordova who works for Christian Aid in Bolivia. She said that campaigns like this have already made a difference there: “Ten years ago we had a partner working on economic research and they realised that multi-national companies didn’t pay more than 15% of their tax and they have been able to share that information with Bolivians. “We have seen change – now these companies pay more like 50% and some as much as 85% and it wasn’t just because of the Bolivian people, people in Britain were putting pressure on these companies as well so it is very important for us to have support from the north.” Anna Jane Evans is the North Wales Regional Co-ordinator for Christian Aid and
says that big companies not paying tax is a big problem in poorer countries. “Tax avoidance of multi-nationals costs poor countries $160billion every year. In Christian Aid week we will raise about $14million so even $1billion would take years to collect so you need to think of the difference we can make by raising our voices and changing structures." She also wants people in the Diocese of St Asaph to recognise that their voice can make a difference. She added: “The Jubilee Debt campaign when the G7 met in Birmingham saw 70,000 people at the rally and every person who went to Birmingham calling for debt cancellation was actually worth £270,000 in debt that was actually cancelled.”
Public Assembly shows Democracy in Action Members of TCC (Trefnu Cymunedol Cymru / Together Creating Communities) gathered at St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham in April with local MPs, councillors and residents for their Spring Public Assembly. TCC is a group made up of like-minded people from local communities in north-east Wales who meet together to take action on
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Church News • Newyddion yr Eglwys issues that are important to them. Among them are Churches, other faith groups and schools. During the Assembly members heard from politicians from across the political spectrum and were brought up to date with four local issues that TCC have been campaigning around. North Wales Police promised to use Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to patrol areas around St Giles’ Church in Wrexham and into the town centre. Church members have become increasingly concerned with anti-social behaviour in the past few months after finding needles and broken glass in the Church grounds. There were also updates on funeral fees, payday loans and the Living Wage campaign which Teulu Asaph reported on in our October/November 2012 edition. Every funeral director in Wrexham is now committed to giving out their prices while one payday loan company have agreed to change the way they lend online so that it’s unlikely people will borrow more than they need. On top of that the Assembly was told that St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School in Wrexham is now paying all staff the Living Wage so 12 employees have received a pay rise. A statement was read from the deputy leader of Wrexham Council saying he hoped Wrexham could become the first Living Wage Council in north Wales if TCC continued its work. Ian Lucas – MP for Wrexham – spoke about what a powerful and simple idea the Living Wage is, how important it is for workers’ respect and dignity, and the benefits it brings to the local economy. He said: “Together we can achieve a huge step for Wrexham.”
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Creative giving in South West Tanganyika Imagine if your Church treasurer didn’t just have to count the money at the end of the service but sell off some of the gifts given by the parishioners. That’s the reality of life as a treasurer in our linked Diocese of South West Tanganyika according to Revd Mike Harrison. He and Roz are coming to the end of nine weeks in Tanzania and that’s one of the more bizarre things they have witnessed. At the end of a service in Kibena Parish, the treasurer stood outside church and held an auction to sell the crops that were donated as part of the offering by those who had no money to give. Mike and Roz’s blog gives some fascinating insights into everyday life in our linked Diocese where power cuts are frequent, running water is a luxury and each of the mini markets in the streets there “make Ruabon Spar look like Waitrose”. You can access the blog via the homepage of the Diocesan website.
Motorbikes Update As part of the trip to South West Tanganyika Mike and Roz have been exploring how the gifts of motorbikes for Priests to travel between churches are being used. The Diocese of St Asaph has donated money for 37 motorbikes and the final one was presented to Canon John Kwetu at the beginning of the trip. Canon John visited us in 2011 and the presentation of his motorbike signalled the end of this process. Mike and Roz have seen a number of the bikes in action (around 17 at the time of
Church News • Newyddion yr Eglwys
Canon John is presented with his motorbike
writing) and are also exploring other ways that small donations might help to make a big difference to life in South West Tanganyika. £25 will pay for a cockerel and a hen to start a chicken “pass-on” project which will help families to own livestock around the Diocese. Roz has already presented hens to HIV/AIDS widows and orphans in Luyanywi parish. For this to work there will also need to be an incubator for the eggs which will cost £600. Mike and Roz are hoping to help make this a reality and are also liaising with some of the poorest parishes in the hope that they can be twinned with parishes here. Mike said: “A great deal can be achieved by learning about each other. Parishes in St Asaph have a great deal to learn from the vibrancy of the worship and the real involvement in what matters to local communities. “Communication can sometimes be challenging but capacity is improving here all the time. We are collecting mobile numbers and some emails. As the above shows, relatively small sums can be very effective here.”
mediaeval Church. At a Holy Eucharist in April, Revd John Bernard Jones thanked those who donated towards the cost of restoration work which was in an area of the Church dating from 1847. Records show stonework at the Church dating back to the 13th Century. John said: “At a more recent restoration dedication service in 1884 the then Bishop commented that the restorers were ‘building for the future’. That statement holds fast in our time, too! “In 1847 and 1884 there were official receptions for all the dignitaries after the restorations. This time we enjoyed a wonderful spread of refreshment at the back of the Church. It was just as good – probably better!”
Diocesan Mothers’ Union festival The annual Mothers' Union Diocesan Festival was held in St Giles Parish Church, Wrexham in March. Bishop Gregory commissioned the members of the Trustee Body. The picture shows members of the Mothers’ Union with Bishop Gregory and other clergy from around the Diocese including Revd Colin Mansley who is the MU Chaplain.
Building for the future in Mold Deanery A service of Rededication has been held at St Mary's Church in Nercwys after the restoration of stone and glass work at the
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Ordained Ministry How do you discern if God is calling you to ordained ministry? For our In the Spotlight feature in this edition we are going to be focussing on two ordinands who, God willing, will serve as Curates in the Diocese of St Asaph after their ordination in June. Teulu Asaph editor Phil Topham went to meet them at college to get to know them a bit more. Sam Erlandson strolls into the common room at St Michael’s College in Cardiff wearing a rugby shirt – Llanelli Scarlets to be precise – and it isn’t long before he’s kicking a ball about on the green outside, spinning passes from left to right with those he’s playing with. For Sam, this is comfortable territory. A qualified coach with the WRU (Welsh Rugby Union), he has a passion for the game that has seen him coach his peers at school and college as well as helping with community projects with the Cardiff Blues during his time at St Mike’s. Now that he’s approaching ordination and a curacy alongside the Revd Canon Pauline Walker in Llay, sport might have to take a back seat. “The majority of rugby games happen on a Sunday and I have asked Pauline for Sunday mornings off,” he jokes. “But she wasn’t too responsive about that!” Sam will be ordained at St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday 29 June and is really looking forward to getting stuck in
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Sam Erlandson and Lorraine Badger-Watts
to his Curacy. The rugby may not be top of the agenda anymore but he’s hoping to use it in his ministry – particularly among young men. “I’m really very conscious about the lack of men sitting in the pews as a whole and of all ages, especially men who are my own age (24) – I think we are the absolute lost category in churches these days,” he reflects. “The rugby is just one opportunity I see for reaching out to young lads and young men. I never forget the time when I was involved in a project at Cardiff Blues where lots of lads were asking lots of questions that were naive but really exciting to answer. “Things like ‘Are you allowed to drink if you’re a Vicar? Are you allowed to get married?’ Of course you can – within reason! It just shocked them. What shocked them was that here’s a guy wanting to be a Vicar and he’s normal. He’s not some weirdo going on about crazy things he’s really normal. “From my experience as a 24-year-old man I think you have really got to give men a purpose in the Church and we need to
give them something practical to do and to actually feel valued. I think what would benefit that is having a down-toearth Vicar who could actually talk to them over a pint and talk to them on their level, get them into Church on their level and give them a purpose in the Church.” Sam has had plenty of time to reflect on God’s call to his life and says he has wanted to be a Vicar since he was around four years old. That said, it has not been a straightforward path and in his teens he changed his mind and decided to train instead as a primary school teacher. He adds: “It was halfway through my teaching course at Bangor University that I reheard the calling or started listening to it again and that was when I went to see the Dean of the Cathedral. “His response at the time was: ‘we’ve been waiting quite a while for you to come and talk to us about this’ so straight away he put me in touch with the DDO (Diocesan Director of Ordinands) and within about four months I was sitting on the Diocesan panel. “Leaving teaching for ministry was something I had to really think a lot about because there are so many parallels that it’s something you could get really confused about and could quite easily make a mistake on. I prayed about it a lot and I had a lot of help from other more experienced clergy and other teachers to help me come to that decision.” Now that decision has been made, Sam’s really looking forward to serving his Curacy in Llay as he grew up in Wrexham County and worshipped in the Parish of Ruabon. “I’m really excited because Pauline Walker is very experienced and down to earth,” he explains. “I want to learn from her and I’m just excited about working with other people now.”
As a Haematology Research Nurse with four children under the age of 10, Lorraine Badger-Watts had lots to consider when she heard God’s call on her life to be a Priest. It was a calling so strong that in 2010 she, husband Carl and their four kids all moved to Cardiff so Lorraine could begin her training at St Michael’s College. It’s a journey that’s seen the family selling their home in Llandegla, the children settling into a new school in Cardiff and all six of them starring in BBC TV show “Vicar Academy”. Lorraine says her family have supported her all the way and that’s made the whole process so much easier. “Carl has been really supportive,” she reflects. “He has been prepared to follow God’s call on both of our lives. We have always thought that if I was to go and train for ordained ministry that the vocation would not just be for me it would be for the whole family so that has been really helpful. “I went to selection in the June and at the beginning of July I was told that I had been recommended to train so we had two months to sell the house and move down here and get the kids in school. That was a bit of a stressful time but we did it and we’re here and we sold the house and it all worked out perfectly so God was definitely in that. “It’s really helpful (to have Carl’s support) and it’s really good that the children have settled down so well in Cardiff and they are really excited about moving up to North Wales again.” Lorraine will work alongside Revd Sally Rogers in the Petryal group of Parishes
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Lorraine with children Elin, Mari, Gethin and Jac
after her ordination at Petertide. She’s passionate about seeing churches integrate further with their communities and is looking forward to getting involved with what’s happening in Petryal. “I’m really excited about the parishes,” she enthuses. “I’ve met Sally Rogers and I’m really looking forward to working with her. I’m nervous about the fact that it’s a 70% Welsh speaking population so I am going to have to work really hard on brushing up my Welsh but I went up for an Easter Vigil service and it was really nice to meet the congregation and start to get to know them. "Churches can be too focussed on what is going on inside but now they are starting to think 'what can we do to be a part of the community which we serve' and that's really exciting for me." Parishioners in Petryal might be familiar with Lorraine already after she and the family were filmed for the TV show Vicar Academy which was shown last autumn on BBC Wales. It sounds like it was enjoyable but quite an eye-opener. She says: “It was very strange doing it but it was really exciting and the kids loved having the big cameras and microphones following us around. There was a lot of filming and very little of that was shown but we all really enjoyed the process and it was just good fun really.” Vicar Academy showed the Ordinands learning to care for the sick and dying, taking part in visits to prisons and hospitals as well as showing them learning to
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preach and teach. It’s the latter that made Lorraine question whether she had heard a call to the Priesthood at all. “I quite distinctly heard God saying ‘I want you to be a priest’ and I completely ignored it. My Parish priest at the time Revd Gary Owen asked why I didn’t want to do it and I said I could not imagine how I would preach every Sunday because that terrified me,” she remembers. “He said: ‘Right then. In a couple of weeks we’ll get you preaching and see how it goes.’ So I did that and it was absolutely fine.” So what is Lorraine’s advice if you think God might have a similar calling on your life? “Think about it, pray about it and talk to people that you know and who know you well about what they think. Keep talking and praying about it and don’t rule anything out because you never know what’s going to happen or what God’s plan for you is.” The Church is entering an interesting time and Lorraine, as a young mum, will come into ordained ministry just a few months ahead of a vote that could allow women to become Bishops in the Church in Wales in future. “I’m all for women Bishops, but it’s not for me,” she concludes. “Then again, I said that about being a Priest!”
All are warmly invited to the Petertide Ordination service at St Asaph Cathedral on Saturday 29 June at 10am.
The Pilgrim’s Pullout Cathedral packed for Year of Pilgrimage launch Hundreds of pilgrims gathered at St Asaph Cathedral on Sunday 5 May to officially launch our Diocesan Year of Pilgrimage. The service was the climax to a weekend of events to celebrate the launch that included the specially commissioned Pilgrim’s Staff travelling to the Cathedral on a carriage drawn by four horses. The Staff was first handed to Bishop Gregory in Knighton after it was carried from St Woolos’ Cathedral in Newport to mid-Wales by the Diocese of Monmouth who declared 2012 their Year of Pilgrimage. Bishop Dominic handed the Staff to Bishop Gregory and it made its way through all three Archdeaconries of our Diocese to get to the service at the Cathedral. On Saturday afternoon the Staff arrived in Berriew in the Archdeaconry of Montgomery for a service led by the Venerable Dr Peter Pike. It then travelled to the Archdeaconry of Wrexham where it began a journey to the Archdeaconry of St Asaph in Bryn Eglwys on Sunday morning. The carriage and four horses passed through Llandegla, Ruthin, Denbigh and Trefnant on its way to St Asaph. The Cathedral was packed for the launch service which began with a pilgrimage around some of the most important places of the ancient building. It started with a hymn at the Translator’s Memorial before Archdeacon Shirley presented the Pilgrim’s Staff to the Dean and the pilgrimage made its way around the Cathedral via the font, the pulpit, the organ and the altar. Pilgrim’s then took their seats to hear readings from Genesis and Psalm 121 as well as the RS Thomas poem “Tidal”. At the end of the service Bishop Gregory addressed the congregation saying: “To be a pilgrim people we must journey out to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the world and to be agents of God’s love. “When I was picking up the Pilgrim’s Staff from Bishop Dominic yesterday I reflected with the congregation in Knighton that so often the Church is very good at coming in – particularly at coming in to Church – but that must always be accompanied by the going out. “Perhaps if the Church went out a little more on the adventure of faith, to be a witness of God’s love, in the service of the Kingdom and of the world then others would see the joy and journey with us. That is why I welcome the Year of Pilgrimage.” At the end of the service pilgrims picked up scallop shells to decorate (the traditional emblem of pilgrimage) and certificates for their churches to demonstrate that they are taking part in the Year of Pilgrimage. The Venerable Shirley Griffiths who is Archdeacon of Wrexham has chaired a team overseeing the Year of Pilgrimage and said:
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“It is a delight that there is so much interest and enthusiasm on the part of so many people throughout the diocese in our Year of Pilgrimage. As well as travelling traditional pilgrimage routes an innovative array of pilgrimages has been devised including one by canal in the Pool Deanery and a possible train pilgrimage to Glasgow to conclude this special year on St Asaph’s Day 2014.” Don’t forget to keep an eye on the calendar of events on our website www.yearofpilgrimage.org.uk
Pilgrim’s poetry a hit with publisher A book of poems published to coincide with the Year of Pilgrimage includes work from people around the Diocese. It’s been published by Y Lolfa who have already printed work by Revd Peter Walker, Team Vicar in the Rhos Cystennin Rectorial Benefice. Called “Travelling with the Saints” it includes poems from clergy and laity. There are reflections on pilgrimage in general and on holy sites around north Wales and along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way. It was edited by Peter Walker and the poems were chosen by the Venerable Chris Potter and Revd Manon Parry. The picture shows a number of the poets with their books at the Year of Pilgrimage launch service at St Asaph Cathedral.
Journey leadership with Journeying For many of us, the Year of Pilgrimage will be an opportunity to spend some time away from the frantic activities of everyday life. Journeying is an ecumenical, not-for-profit organisation which aims to help you do just that. They take small groups on holiday in an informal Christian ambience to the more off-the-beaten-track parts of Britain and Ireland. Its origins lie in Celtic spirituality and most of the trips still reflect that approach. Pilgrimage has been part of the story from the earliest days and that continues to form a thread woven through all that they do. David Gleed from the Journeying team writes: Journey Leaders come from all walks of life. They may be ordained or lay, Protestant or Roman Catholic, men or women - but all share the aims of the organisation and have discovered a closeness to God and Creation through travel to remote places and a wish to share this with others. We are always pleased to hear from others interested in discovering more about journey leadership with Journeying. For more details Visit: www.journeying.co.uk Email: info@journeying.co.uk Telephone: 01799 513750 or write to our Pembrokeshire address: 18 Holyland Road, Pembroke SA71 4BL.
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The Pilgrims of 1955 David Pryce-Morris, the first person to be Diocesan Communication Officer for St Asaph sent us his recollections of how a pilgrimage from almost 60 years ago raised up a generation of young Church leaders... Pilgrimages have always been special events in the lives of participants, often leaving an indelible mark on them. This is certainly true of one which took place on 11 August 1955. It was the Church in Wales Youth Pilgrimage to St David’s and it certainly changed my life and that of many others. I was fortunate to be able to join a hundred or so young people at the Camp Conference in St David’s College, Lampeter which preceded the pilgrimage. Leading the conference was the charismatic Franciscan friar Fr Silyn Roberts, his influence on us youngsters was remarkable. I was in one of many groups of young people who enjoyed one another’s company and many who were moved to lives of dedication and commitment. Our small group of five included Bryan Parry (Meliden) who became Canon of Birmingham Cathedral; Albert Roberts (Shotton) became a priest in the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield; Mel Yates (Shotton) became a churchwarden; Alan Rees (Swansea) became Abbot of Belmont Abbey and yours truly was ordained in this diocese and became a Canon of our Cathedral. Some years ago, whilst talking with Bishop Huw Jones he informed me that he too was at the conference. Later he was thrilled to become Bishop of St David’s. There were many more who served the Church in Wales as a consequence of Fr Silyn’s direction and example. It is said that 8000 youngsters gathered in that tiny city to process to the great Cathedral joined by the Archbishop and all the bishops of the Church in Wales – even the Cathedral grounds were packed with pilgrims. What a day! Such is the experience of pilgrimage. Nowadays Santiago de Compostella and many other foreign shrines are easily accessible to pilgrims, in those days, just ten years after the war, before popular tourism travel, it took real effort and commitment to journey to the far south-east of our province from our diocese. It was worth all that effort. The Church in Wales was inspired by that event and it possibly influenced the Church more than we can ever know. How good it is to know that in Wales pilgrimages are in vogue again and that our Diocese is helping to lead the way. No doubt God will use our Diocesan Year of Pilgrimage to change lives and strengthen our Church as did the 1955 Youth Pilgrimage.
Well, Well, Well – St Mary’s opened to the public One of the joys of the Year of Pilgrimage is that some places that are not normally open to the public are available for pilgrims over the next twelve months. Among them is St Mary’s Well in Wigfair which is accessible for a series of talks by historian Tristan Grey-Hulse. The first was held on Monday 6 May as part of the launch of our Year of Pilgrimage and there
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will be another five in the series called “Saints and Shrines of the Diocese of St Asaph”. On Sunday 18 August at 2pm there will be a walk to St Mary’s Well where a short service will take place following a talk from Tristan at Neuadd Owen Village Hall in Cefn. There is also a cheese and wine evening planned in Cefn on Friday 12 July although there will only be a talk on this occasion, not a trip to the Well. Three further talks are planned later in our Year of Pilgrimage and anyone who would like more information is advised to view the Calendar page at www.yearofpilgrimage.org.uk or call 01745 540345.
R S Thomas and pilgrimage to Ynys Enlli –Bardsey Island In his final instalment on RS Thomas, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of his birth and our Year of Pilgrimage, Revd Andrew Sully explains the links between the poet’s work and pilgrimage. According to ‘Neb’, RS Thomas’ autobiography, in August 1953, after about 12 years in Manafon, the Thomas’ responded to a newspaper advert requesting volunteers to staff the new bird observatory that had been established on Bardsey Island, in Cristin House. There began the first of many visits to the island. After an unpromising journey to Bardsey, they settled down for a fortnight’s stay at the observatory, to learn something about the migrant birds as well as those birds drawn to the lighthouse on stormy nights. RS would return to Enlli many times thereafter, until “he know every corner of this enchanting little island.” Making the treacherous crossing of the Enlli sound by boat evoked for him the days when a pilgrimage to Enlli was deemed equivalent to three made to Rome. In those days Aberdaron was the wealthiest parish in the Diocese of Bangor because of the many pilgrims who made their journey there before crossing over to the island of 20,000 saints. He writes of this in the poem, ‘Pilgrimages’ from ‘Frequencies’ in 1978. For RS it is the quality of timelessness which makes Enlli so special. When we undertake a pilgrimage we must put aside the usual constraints of chronological time if we are to allow ourselves the space to participate in the pilgrimage experience as fully as we can; to immerse ourselves in the journey, both spiritual and physical. It is of the utmost importance to make the most of the eternal ‘now’. Everything is sacred on pilgrimage, nothing more so than time – we must not desecrate it in a hurry. To undertake a sacred journey such as a pilgrimage allows us time to think, to reflect, to listen to the lessons of the past and integrate them into a vision for the future. We must learn to live totally in the present moment. On pilgrimage we must look and really see, listen and truly hear. True freedom lies in learning to pay attention to the infinite detail that makes up each moment of our lives, allowing us to experience them in a new way. Our mindfulness enables us to live each day, each hour, as a new beginning, and to continue to face the future with an open heart and mind. Revd Andrew Sully is on a pilgrimage of his own at the moment, cycling from Vadstena in central Sweden, the shrine of St Birgitta of Sweden, to Trondheim in Norway, to the shrine of St Olav. He’s taking part in this during his summer sabbatical which began on 20 May.
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Training Together on your Doorstep Has training ever been this straightforward?
You’ve all benefited from Training Together but unless you live in Wrexham it’s always been a trek to get to St Margaret’s Church Hall where most of our sessions take place. Now that is changing.
Instead of scheduling courses for you to attend through the year we’re asking you to invite us to your parish or deanery to deliver the training where you are. Do you want to learn more about your role in church? We have a course for that. Do you need new skills to help your church grow? We can help. Here’s some examples of the courses we offer: So you’re on the PCC Funding your project Setting and using the Parish Budget The Faculty Process Facilitating Groups Media Matters All Age Church
There are plenty more and there’s a full list on the Training Together pages of the Diocesan website.
So what are you waiting for? We only ask two things. Firstly, you need to get 20 people together for the training and secondly you need to provide Fair Trade tea, coffee and biscuits.
There are still some scheduled courses which are listed below but we want to bring Training Together to you. For more information please get in touch with Sian Connelly in the Diocesan Office – her contact details are at the bottom of the page.
Summer Programme 2013
Training Together is a programme of training open to anyone connected with a church in the Diocese of St Asaph, whether they are lay or clergy, a member of the PCC or not. All courses are FREE, unless otherwise stated.
Course
Date & Time
Venue
So You’re The Churchwarden
Tuesday 18th June (6.45pm – 9pm)
St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham
So You’re The PCC Secretary
So You’re The Treasurer
Wednesday 5th June (6.45pm – 9pm)
Wednesday 10th July (10am - 12pm)
St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham
Diocesan Office, St Asaph
To Book Your Place: please give your name, phone number, parish name and email address to sianconnelly@churchinwales.org.uk or phone on 01745 532582.
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Book Club brings the Bible alive Parishioners in Newtown and Aberhafesp say they have been “inspired, encouraged and strengthened” by the Community Bible Experience – a new shared Bible reading plan published by Biblica which has been used in Cedewain Deanery. It uses the NIV2011 translation of the New Testament but rearranges the books into a different order while taking away the splits of chapters and verses so that it reads as one novel. It’s designed to be read over six weeks and each daily reading takes 15-20 minutes. The churches have been taking part in the Experience as part of Cedewain Deanery’s Action Plan for 2013. Over 200 copies of the reading plan called “Books of the Bible” were given out across the Deanery and Book Clubs were organised for people to have a chance for reflection. In Newtown and Aberhafesp Sunday sermons either gave an overview of the reading or provided background on the authors. Biblica produce publicity material, magazine articles, and the reading plan for you to adapt and use in your own context, as well as daily email reminders so you can download an audio version of the readings. This was distributed and to the housebound in Newtown. Rector, the Revd Andy Grimwood said: “With a little planning it’s really easy to organise and get the whole parish involved. The ‘Books of the Bible’ cost £3.50 each and Newtown and Aberhafesp PCCs paid for a copy for every member and a stock to
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be given to visitors and contacts. “Some people were struck by how the writers were not superheroes, but ordinary people with common failings; or how the Bible still speaks clearly and consistently to modern day life. It really brought colour to Bible reading and helped the words of the New Testament become alive and meaningful. “It also raised some deep questions and much soul searching so in the summer we’ll be going back and rereading Hebrews with sermons and book clubs to tie in.” Barbara Moelwyn Williams of Aberhafesp added: “It really brought the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice home,” while for Joyce Hughes it showed: “how much God loves me and is constantly seeking to reveal the truth to me.” Andy is now hoping to tackle the Old Testament later in the year. For more information visit www.newtownparishes.co.uk or www.biblicaeurope.com or speak to Andy about what’s been happening in Cedewain Deanery.
Your News • Eich newyddion chi Holy Week around the Diocese Christians across the Diocese of St Asaph enjoyed Easter gardens, walks of witness, special services and beautiful flower displays as part of this year’s Holy Week and Easter celebrations. In Rhyl, worshippers were greeted with a floral cross at St Thomas’ Church on Easter Sunday morning. The cross was decorated with daffodils and lilies and positioned near to an Easter garden with chicks and eggs to represent the new life enjoyed by those who accept Christ as Lord and Saviour.
In St Asaph there was a walk of witness from the Parish Church to the Cathedral. A cross was carried at the front of the procession which was led by the Dean.
In Pool Quay, St John’s Church held a service on Holy Saturday to light the Pascal Candle. The photograph shows parishioners gathered outside the Church while Revd Stephen Willson lights the candle to represent the new light of Christ. In the Bro Elfod Ministry Area there were two "Family Fun Days" during Holy Week in the Messy Church tradition. One was held at Canolfan Dewi Sant in Pensarn and the other at St Mary's in Towyn. There was a Holy Week “trail” which included stories from Palm Sunday through to Easter Day and the children enjoyed a Palm Sunday procession, they shared pitta bread and blackcurrant juice to remember the Last Supper and made stained glass crosses and Easter gardens as they heard the account of the resurrection. They also watched an animated film about Holy Week and enjoyed sausage and chips at Pensarn and Hot Cross Buns and cakes at Towyn.
Musical workshops to be summer hit
The lighting of the Pascal Candle in Pool Quay
After the success of the summer musical workshops in Colwyn Bay over the last two years, Revd Ginny Burton is taking the idea to her new parish of Towyn in August. Children will be able to spend five days rehearsing “Jonah Man Jazz” – a musical
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Your News • Eich newyddion chi hundreds of books available for young people to borrow. Parishioners Polly and Dave Snape came up with the idea after meetings were held in the church to see what more could be done to engage with the local community. A children’s library was one of the ideas put forward and it was officially opened as part of family service on Sunday 5 May. A Summer Musical Workshop in 2012 There’s a whole range of books with a Biblical theme – before a perform- on offer from those aimed at babies and todance at the end of the week. dlers right through to teenage fiction. 400 The idea grew out of St Paul’s Church in books were donated to the church to start Colwyn Bay which will host its fourth Mu- the ball rolling and St Elidan’s is now a memsical Workshop this year. Children there will ber of Denbighshire Libraries and they can perform “Crikey Moses” after success with take out up to 60 books at a time to lend to “Jonah Man Jazz”, “Captain Noah and his others. Floating Zoo” and “Joseph at the Amazing Dave Snape – who is also PCC Secretary – Technicolor Dreamcoat” in previous years. said: Now organisers are encouraging other “We had 24 people at the launch service in Churches to consider whether they could May and most of the children at the service host a musical workshop for children in took books home with them that day. their parish. Since then we have had another half a Bryn Heywood who oversees the work- dozen kids sign up to borrow books.” shops in Colwyn Bay can offer advice on how you can get started. You can contact St Elidan’s already work with the Leyland him on leeheywood581@btinternet.com Arms pub next door to run an adult library and book stall which helps to raise money or 07926 908571. for church funds.
Jonah Man Jazz – St Mary’s Church, Towyn, 12 – 16 August. For more details and to book places please contact Revd Ginny Burton on 01492 512160. Crikey Moses – St Paul’s Church, Colwyn Bay, 5 – 9 August. For more details and to book places please contact Bryn Heywood on 07926 908571.
Children’s Library opens in village Church St Elidan’s Church in Llanelidan has opened up a children’s library with
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Your News • Eich newyddion chi Finnish tourism hits Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant Tourism officials from Finland have visited St Dogfan’s Church in Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant to learn more about the development of church tourism trails. Powys was chosen as the main focus of a study visit by the group which was organised by the Welsh Government’s Wales Rural Network (WRN) which is responsible for promoting the exchange of information and experiences between Wales and other EU countries. Powys’ wealth of culture and heritage projects stood out to the European study group who are looking to discover how we link cultural projects to community and economic development.
St Dogfan’s is one of 15 churches and chapels on the Meini Bywiol - Living Stones North Montgomeryshire Heritage Trail. The tourism officials were welcomed by the Vicar – Revd Mike Powell – before a short presentation on the vision behind the Trail and how it came to fruition. There was then a talk by Ceinwen Edwards on the history of St Dogfan’s church and the legacy of Bishop William Morgan. The group then enjoyed lunch at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel in the village before they moved on to see other tourism projects in Powys.
Bro Elfod gets sweaty! You’ve heard of Messy Church but now the Bro Elfod ministry area is getting ready to introduce Sweaty Church.
They’ll host it at Canolfan Dewi Sant in Pensarn on Sunday 16 June and it’s designed for children who are keener on physical activity than arts and crafts. Revd Ginny Burton said: “It’s about harnessing their boundless energy and channelling it in a positive direction, as they learn about Jesus. The core principles of Sweaty Church are that parents and children can learn about living the Christian life together and this learning is done through sports and games. “Sweaty Church started in St Paul’s, York, and is now spreading across the country, much as Messy Church did. Now it has reached Wales!” Sweaty Church will be a Sunday afternoon service for busy families and is aimed at 7-11s, their parents and siblings who find Sunday mornings taken up with sports and other activities. Everyone gathers for the first 30 minutes of the service, for singing, games and sports activities before “half time” complete with orange segments. In the second half, parents gather to discuss the theme of the afternoon and its relevance to family life, while the children carry on the theme with more games and activities. The afternoon ends with tea, toast and prayer. More information can be found online at www.sweatychurch.co.uk where there are whole host of resources and ideas.
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Your News • Eich newyddion chi It’s always tempting to ask “What if?” Revd Stuart Elliott has been watching 1998 film Sliding Doors and it got him thinking about our journey and our destination... Lying in hospital following a terrible accident which cost Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) her baby and almost her life, Helen asks: ‘What if?’ What if the last few months had been different? What if I had found out Gerry (John Lynch) was cheating earlier? What if I had caught that train? But the doors closed and the train left the station leaving Helen standing on the platform and the whole sorry story replays. No. Wait. Rewind. Come down the stairs to the platform, through the sliding doors of the train, and ‘what if’ becomes possible. At least for a while. The two stories play along together. Firstly the slow breakdown of her life. First her job, then her relationship with Gerry who is seeing Lydia (Jeanne Tripplehorn) while she is working. Secondly, the ‘what if?’ she catches the train, catches Gerry, gets out quick and restarts her life with her friend Anna and a new man James (John Hannah). In the imaginary ‘what if?’ life, everything goes perfectly, at least for a while. It’s amazing quite how perfect a ‘what if?’ life can be when we put our imagination to the task. James is the perfect gentleman at the right moment with a friendly word or suggestion. Perfect scenarios are never quite what they seem. As the two versions of Helen’s life start to come together, James
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turns out not to be quite so perfect and Helen ends up under a van. Hospital. One life has a future, the other was just fantasy. How often do we reject the real journey for one of fantasy? How often might we ask the ‘if only?’ or ‘what if?’ questions. As Gerry says, with a twinge of selfish guilt, “you don’t want to go asking yourself ‘what if?’ ” Well why not? I suggest that this is precisely what we should do. Not necessarily after the event, nor about things we cannot effect. When there is a choice to be made we should tread the path carefully and with decision. At the end of the film we are left watching with baited breath as both versions of Helen lie in a hospital bed. We are willing one to live. It is not always the destination that makes us who we are, but the journey. The path that Helen was on could not change, for that was just fantasy, but perhaps the experience has made her future brighter. Jesus said in Matthew 7: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” We are left at the end of the film with the tantalising question, ‘what if?’ Not the ‘what if?’ of the past, but ‘what if?’ for the future. We have our own journey to begin as we let them go back behind the ‘Sliding Doors’.
Conwy School celebrates Year of Pilgrimage A school in Conwy used the launch week of our Year of Pilgrimage in May to take part in their own pilgrimage from school to Church.
children all the various vestments he wears as Bishop and what they symbolise. Among them were his mitre, cope, crosier and scarf. After he put on his cope he invited some of the children to stand underneath it to demonstrate the Bishop caring for his flock. At the end of the service the pupils carried the banners that had been blessed by Bishop Gregory back to school.
Y Briodas - The Wedding The weather was bright and dry for pupils from the village school in Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant to celebrate their pretend wedding.
Pupils from Ysgol Eglwysbach walked down the main street of the village with banners to St Martin’s Church where they were met by Bishop Gregory. They then took part in a service at the Church which included poetry on a pilgrimage theme, the story of the Good Samaritan from Luke’s Gospel and prayers led by the children in Welsh and English. After this Bishop Gregory showed the Ushers stood by ready to hand out orders of service and the bridegroom arrived at church accompanied by his best man, followed by the bridesmaids, and then the bride with her father - all in sparklingly smart limos. St Dogfan’s Parish Church held the “wedding” which was part of an educational visit. The Vicar Revd Mike Powell managed to officiate at the wedding without marrying the couple for real! Frances Hunt from St Dogfans said: “Photos and a video were taken by pupils
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Focus on Schools • Sylw ar Ysgolion themselves, who also designed the orders of service, and pew end decorations. “Following the ‘ceremony’ a ‘reception’ was held in the school hall which was enjoyed by all.” The photograph shows the Revd Mike Powell with Sophie and Kieran who played the bride and groom.
Ysgolion yn adfer d r i Ffynnon Sanctaidd Three Welsh speaking schools – Ysgol Eglwysbach, Ysgol Llanddoged and Ysgol Beuno Sant – joined together at Bala Lake for a pilgrimage themed event in May. Revd Nia Morris took water from the lake and led the pupils on pilgrimage to the now dried up St Beuno’s Well in Bala. Here’s the report in Welsh: Daeth tair ysgol Gymraeg at ei gilydd i ddysgu am bwysigrwydd Ffynnon Beuno yn y Bala fel rhan o Flwyddyn Bererindod yr Esgobaeth.
Fe wnaeth disgyblion o Ysgol Eglwysbach, Ysgol Llanddoged ac Ysgol Beuno Sant ymgynnull ar lannau Llyn Tegid i gymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau i ysgolion, cyn i’r Barchedig Nia Morris godi rhywfaint o ddŵr y llyn mewn bwced. Yna, aeth yr ysgolion â’r dŵr i Ffynnon Beuno – ffynnon a sychodd ymhell yn ôl wrth i dai gael eu hadeiladu o’i chwmpas – a’i dywallt i mewn i’r ffynnon.
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Dangosodd y Barchedig Nia i’r plant pa mor bwysig oedd y ffynnon a pha mor bwysig yw dŵr mewn gwasanaeth bedydd, cyn i’r ysgolion ymuno mewn gwasanaeth. Yn ystod yr addoliad, canwyd emyn a oedd yn cynnwys pennill newydd a ysgrifennwyd gan y plant i fyfyrio ar y tair ysgol yn dod ynghyd ar gyfer y gweithgaredd hwn ar y cyd: Mi gamwn 'mlaen draw i'r llyn I ffynnon Beuno ac i Eglwys Crist, Ysgol Llanddoged a Eglwys Bach A Ysgol Beuno Sant, mi awn yn iach A rhoi fy mywyd i Dduw. A chamwn ymlaen yn ffrindiau i gyd A rhoi ein bywydau i Dduw. Dywedodd y Barchedig Nia: “Mae athrawon yn gweld digwyddiad fel hwn yn gyfle i ddod â’r Flwyddyn Bererindod yn fyw. Gall yr ysgolion i gyd gymryd rhan heb orfod gwneud ymdrech arbennig i fod mewn gwasanaethau y tu allan i oriau ysgol.” Cynhaliwyd y digwyddiad hwn gan Ysgol Beuno Sant, a’r gobaith yw y bydd Ysgol Eglwysbach ac Ysgol Llanddoged yn cynnal digwyddiadau ar gyfer y tair ysgol yn ddiweddarach yn y Flwyddyn Bererindod.
Summer Music – at St Paul’s Church, Craig y Don, Llandudno LL30 1TP Sunday 2 June, at 5pm – Ivor Novello Concert Sunday 9 June, at 5pm (in the Church Hall) – Opera Concert by Amici del Canto including the 1st Act of the Marriage of Figaro. This concert will also take place at 7.30pm on Friday 7th June. Sunday 16 June, at 5pm – Llandudno Youth Music Theatre (songs from the shows) Sunday 23 June, at 5pm – Songs of Praise with Beulah Brass Band (RSCM Music Sunday) Sunday 30 June, at 5pm – Jonathan Richards – Guitar Recital These concerts are in aid of the Organ Repair Fund – preserving a 100 year old Hill 3-manual pipe organ. Admission to the concerts is free – there will be a retiring collection with a suggested minimum donation of £5 (Gift Aid Envelopes will be available). Advance Notice: join us in St Paul’s Church, Craig y Don, Llandudno, on Saturday 21st September for an “AlleluiaAmen” Singing Day from 10am with a concert at 7.30pm. Join us to sing the Alleluia & Amen Chorus and more Alleluia and Amen pieces. More details at a later date. Lunchtime Organ Recital Series – at St Giles' Parish Church, Wrexham Mondays at 12.30pm (Lunches available in the South Aisle from 12 noon) Monday 3 June – John Evans (Hamilton Street Methodist Church, Chester) Monday 10 June, – Philip Underwood (St John the Divine, Sale) Monday 17 June, – Charles Jones (Holy Trinity, Llandudno)
Monday 24 June, – Bob Jones (St Francis, Chester and Cinema Organ Supremo) Monday 1 July, – John Hosking (Assistant organist, St Asaph Cathedral) Monday 8 July, – Gerry Howe (St Giles', Wrexham) Sunday 9 June – Teddy Bear’s picnic at St Marcella’s Church, Denbigh in the afternoon – more details from the Parish Office Monday 10 June – 5.45pm – Installation of Revd Alan Tiltman as Canon Chancellor at St Asaph Cathedral during Choral Evensong. Saturday 15 June, 7 pm - Organ Recital on the 'Father' Willis Organ at St Mary of the Salutation Parish Church, Welshpool. Andrey Chulovskiy plays his new composition '9 Musical Tableaux according to the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete', organ works by J.S.Bach, F.Liszt, M.Reger, H.Villa-Lobos. Tickets £10, children £5 on the door. More information at www.andreychulovskiy.com or from Revd Steve Willson on 01938 553164. Saturday 15 June, 1pm – 3pm – Fete Accompli – a murder mystery event based on a Church Fete. Emmanuel Church, Bistre. More details from Revd Alex Mayes on 01352 744872. Saturday 22 June, 7.30pm – The Voice of an Angel. An evening with soprano Kate Griffiths at Llanelidan Church, Ruthin. Tickets cost £10 and £8 and are available by phoning 01824 750288. Saturday 22 June – The Little Big Band with Fairtrade sparkling wine reception, Wrexham Rugby Club to raise money for TCC - 7.30pm for 8pm. Tickets £10 from tcc@tcc-wales.org.uk or 01978 262588
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Around the Diocese • O Amgylch yr Esgobaeth Sunday 23 June – 11am – Eucharist to celebrate anniversaries in ministry, St Asaph Cathedral. Saturday 29 June – 10am – Petertide Ordinations at St Asaph Cathedral. All welcome.
Sunday 30 June – Messy Church afternoon at St Mary's Church, Denbigh – more details from the Parish Office St Paul's Colwyn Bay – lunchtime concerts in June - all at 1pm. 5th - Graham Eccles, 12th John Horton, 19th John Hosking, 26th Fay Adamson.
Teulu Asaph – the future My dad tells me that when he was growing up Wagon Wheels (that biscuit and marshmallow snack covered in chocolate) were the size of dinner plates. The more likely explanation is that he simply grew up but his observation raises an interesting point. Nothing, it seems, ever gets bigger. The same can’t be said of your copy of Teulu Asaph. For our next edition in August/September we will be moving from an A5 edition to an A4 edition. This change is in response to the feedback we received from the questionnaire which was in the middle pages of the February/March edition. You asked us to include more content from the schools, to cram less information onto each page, to engage with those outside of our Churches and to be more honest about Church life. You want us to recognise that the Christian walk is not always full of smiles. With that in mind we will move to a 16-page A4 magazine which should allow us to include bigger pictures, be more creative with the design and hopefully make Teulu Asaph easier to read. The flexibility should also allow us to include more content and make more of our articles available in Welsh. From August/September you will also see a brand new design and style which we hope will help Teulu Asaph to work harder for us in the future. A small working group has been formed to oversee these changes and includes a mix of Clerical and Lay representatives, those from rural parishes and urban parishes, Welsh speakers and even a designer who used to work for Saatchi and Saatchi. Thank you all for your valuable feedback and we look forward to hearing your reaction to the new Teulu Asaph in the summer.
Teulu Asaph - Sharing Good News with the Family of the Diocese Editor: Phil Topham, Diocesan Communication Officer Diocesan Office, High Street, St. Asaph LL17 0RD 01745 582245 comms.stasaph@churchinwales.org.uk What is your good news? Let us know what is happening in your parish or deanery. Interesting photographs and short articles particularly welcome. Croesewir unrhyw erthyglau ynglyn a digwyddiadau eglwysig yn Gymraeg. Gellir cynnwys crynodeb byr o'r erthygl, na ddylai fod yn fwy na 250 o eriau, yn Saesneg. Diolch yn fawr. Deadlines: August/September edition: 5 July October/November edition: 4 September Teulu Asaph is designed by A R Doe graphics. www.ardoe.co.uk
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