Visitation News

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Diocese of St Asaph archdeacons’ visitation news

Spring 2018 - issue 13

Adeiladau Eglwysig – Church buildings – bendith a baich

Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru yw gwarcheidwad tua a blessing and a burden 65% o’r “adeiladau rhestredig” yng Nghymru. Er bod llawer yn berlau pensaernïol o ddifrif, maen The Church in Wales is the custodian nhw’n gallu bod yn destun llawenydd anferth ac yn of approximately 65% of the ‘listed faich i gynulleidfaoedd a chymunedau lleol sydd â buildings’ in Wales, writes the Archdeacon chyfrifoldeb dros sicrhau eu bod yn aros yn agored of Wrexham, the Venerable Bob Griffiths. a’r strwythur mewn cyflwr da. While many are true architectural gems, Mae yn bwysig, lle bo’n bosibl, bod y cysylltiad rhwng they can be both an immense joy and yr eglwys a’r gymuned yn parhau, oherwydd mae’r a burden to local congregations and adeiladau hyn, mewn gwirionedd, yn ystorfa enaid communities who have the responsibility cymuned. Yn aml dyma unig fan cyswllt y gymuned, gyda to ensure they remain open and in good syniadau a chysyniadau sy’n tystio i bresenoldeb Duw. structural order. Bydd yr Esgobaeth yn helpu ac yn cynorthwyo It is important, where possible, for the link cynulleidfaoedd gymaint ag y bo modd, felly peidiwch between church and community to continue, byth â pheidio â gofyn am gymorth pan fydd ei angen. for these buildings are, in a sense, the repository Byddwn, fe fyddwn ni weithiau’n gofyn cwestiynau of a community’s soul. They are often the anodd, ac weithiau’n awgrymu ffyrdd ymlaen na fyddwch community’s only point of contact with ideas and chi eisiau eu hystyried neu eu clywed. Mae hi bob amser concepts that witness to the presence of God. yn destun tristwch pan fydd yn rhaid i ni ddweud, “allwn The Diocese will help and support congregations as much as possible, so never, ni ddim cadw’r adeilad eglwysig hwn yn agored ar gyfer ever fail to ask for help when it is needed. Yes, we will sometimes ask tough questions, addoliad cyhoeddus”. Bob blwyddyn, mae’n rhaid i ni and sometimes suggest ways forward that you don’t want to think about or hear. ddweud hyn mewn rhai achosion, ac fel Esgobaeth, It is always with a heavy heart that we have to say, “We can no longer keep this church rydyn ni’n gobeithio y gallwn ni gefnogi cynulleidfaoedd building open for public worship”. Each year we have to say this in a few instances drwy’r hyn sydd, wedi’r cyfan, yn brofedigaeth - colli and, as a Diocese, we hope we can support congregations through what is, after all, a rhywbeth a oedd yn hynod o agos at ein calonnau, ac yr bereavement – the loss of something dearly loved and for which we, and others before ydym ni, ac eraill o’n blaenau, wedi gweithio’n galed i’w us, have worked hard to keep open. We have not failed God, for even though we have gadw’n agored. Nid ydym wedi siomi Duw, oherwydd er to close a building, we do not close a church. The Church is people and the people bod yn rhaid i ni gau adeilad, nid ydym yn cau eglwys, remain to witness faithfully to the message of the Gospel. oherwydd pobl yw’r Eglwys ac mae’r bobl yn dal i fod yn dystion ffyddlon i neges yr Efengyl. Our prayer must be ‘Your Kingdom Come’ as we travel together to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth. Sometimes, if we are honest, our church buildings Rhaid i’n gweddi ni fod yn dweud “Deled dy Deyrnas” hamper that mission as they drain us of energy and finances that could be used in wrth i ni deithio gyda’n gilydd i sefydlu Teyrnas Dduw mission and outreach. We have a great heritage in many of our buildings and, as a yma ar y ddaear. Weithiau, os ydym yn onest, mae ein Diocese, we want to preserve that heritage where we can, but most importantly we hadeiladau eglwysig yn rhwystro’r genhadaeth honno want to faithfully witness to Christ in our communities. gan eu bod yn dwyn ein hegni a’n cyllid y gellid eu defnyddio mewn gwaith cenhadu ac allgymorth. Mae We hope that this issue of Archdeacons’ Visitation News will prove a valuable resource gennym dreftadaeth wych mewn llawer o’n hadeiladau, as we continue our faith journey together as the Teulu Asaph, as the people of God ac fel Esgobaeth, rydym am gadw’r dreftadaeth honno in this place. lle gallwn ond, yn bwysicaf oll, rydym eisiau tystio’n The Venerable Bob Griffiths ffyddlon i Grist yn ein cymunedau. Archdeacon of Wrexham Produced and printed by Gobeithiwn y bydd y rhifyn hwn o Newyddion Gofwy’r Archddiacon yn adnodd gwerthfawr wrth i ni barhau ar ein taith ffydd gyda’n gilydd fel Teulu Asaff, fel pobl Dduw yn y lle hwn.

www.ecclesiastical.com/churchmatters Meet the Property Introducing the Team... Diocesan Property Board Diocesan Churches Inspector: The new St Asaph Diocesan Property Board represents Michael Plane a fresh approach to the management of property in this [email protected] 01745 532585 diocese. As the Diocesan Secretary, Diane McCarthy Michael started in explains, it has replaced the Diocesan Parsonage Board post at the beginning and the Churches and Pastoral Committee. of 2018 to help maintain and develop our church buildings more effectively. He will be carrying out Quinquennial inspections and working with each Mission Area to develop a strategic plan for property. Churches Conservation and Development Officer: Rachel Cutler [email protected] 01745 532584 Rachel works with Mission Areas and churches to identify appropriate solutions for buildings and sites that meet current and future needs while conserving The Diocesan Property Board is a completed by the Diocesan Churches and enhancing their architectural and joint initiative that has been developed Inspector. This will allow us to target historical significance. She also administers between the Representative Body of and focus the inspection programme the work of the Diocesan Advisory the Church in Wales, which owns most more effectively and to respond to local Committee for the Care of Churches of the property, and the Diocese of St need. It will also mean we can develop a and manages the online faculties for the Asaph. We both recognise that the care comprehensive property database which Diocese. and maintenance of buildings, especially will facilitate planning and budgeting and Property Administrator: church buildings which are often ancient help us all to make informed decisions. and represent an important part of our Pam Vernon The Property Board meets four times heritage, is a significant responsibility a year and the membership includes [email protected] and we want to offer more expert support an equal number of clergy and laity: 01745 582245 to our dedicated, hard-working church Pam supports the congregations and local communities. the Archdeacons of the Diocese Diocesan Churches We hope that, by working together in the Chair or Vice Chair of the Inspector, the Diocesan partnership, we can free up time and Diocesan Board of Finance Inspector (of residential energy across our Mission Areas to focus properties) and the on mission, ministry and growing our the Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Churches Conservation church. Committee or another member and Development nominated by her/him Officer administering the work of the This new Board will work with the Mission Properties Board and the Diocesan Area Conferences to review the property three members elected by the Advisory Committee. portfolio in each Mission Area, identifying Diocesan Conference from its own the future requirement for all existing membership types of property and identifying new Diocesan Parsonages three members appointed by the opportunities. It will support Mission Areas Inspector Diocesan Bishop. in developing their own strategic property A new Diocesan Parsonages Inspector has plans and help with the delivery of these Meetings are also attended by: been appointed to replace Dewi Thomas plans as required. Our Funding and who retires this Spring. Emyr Hughes will the Head of Property for the RBCinW manage the programme of maintenance, Stewardship Officer will also work closely alteration, improvement and replacement with the Property Board and the Mission the Diocesan Secretary Areas to provide crucial information about of our clergy homes. Contact information the Diocesan Parsonages Inspector for Emyr will be available shortly. In the sources of funding that will help to make meantime, for any enquires, please call/ our shared vision a reality. the Diocesan Churches Inspector email Pam, Property Administrator. In future, the majority of church the Diocesan Churches Conservation Quinquennial Inspections will be and Development Officer. Risk Management Advice Line

We know that managing the risks of a church or church hall can be a demanding responsibility. That’s why we’ve introduced the Risk Management Advice Line. Whenever you need information about managing risk and can’t find what you are looking for on our website, our experts are here to help. Call our Risk Management Advice Line: 0345 600 7531 The line is open from 9:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays. Alternatively you can email us at: [email protected] and one of our experts will call you back 2018 – Ecclesiastical’s within 24 hours. Our Risk Management Advice Line offers Ecclesiastical customers free risk advice. year of the church Please have your policy number to hand when you call. volunteer In 2017, Ecclesiastical’s annual church competition celebrated the role that churches play in their local communities and the positive change brought about by various community initiatives.

Churches were asked to submit a piece of This year, Ecclesiastical will be honouring artwork that encapsulated their community the invaluable contributions of church offering, be it a regular food bank service, volunteers – the people who tirelessly mother and toddler groups or coffee devote their time and energy to make a mornings for the elderly to combat loneliness, difference to support their church and to etc. More than 270 wonderful and creative make a difference to their local New health and submissions formed the Great Community communities. Mural, a 10m x 3m structure, which was safety guidance unveiled at St Paul’s Cathedral before going Michael Angell, Church Operations Director on to tour cathedrals around the UK. at Ecclesiastical, explains that the 2018 Nobody wants to see anyone suffer an competition is all about recognising and injury, so it’s important that your church celebrating those who do so much to has taken steps to protect those who use support their church and enrich their your buildings. This can seem a bit communities. “We’re continually inspired daunting when starting from scratch, so by the dedication of church volunteers and we’ve developed a series of new all they do. Our hope is that this year’s webpages, guidance notes, checklists and competition will not only recognise videos to help make health and safety outstanding voluntary work, but also straightforward. They provide a range of information and examples to help you get encourage others to consider devoting their started, or check the adequacy of what time for the benefit of others,” said Michael. you already have in place. Look out for details of this year’s competition Find out more at: on www.ecclesiastical.com/church www.ecclesiastical.com/ healthandsafety

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General Data Protection Regulation – Is your church ready? The increased rate of technological developments and globalisation have brought new challenges for the protection of personal data. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been introduced to reflect changes in technology since the Data Protection Act was introduced in 1998. The changes will come into effect from 25 May 2018 and will affect all organisations that handle personal data relating to living EU citizens. This means that churches will need Allchurches uses this money to give Together Network that supports local groups to comply with the new regulation. grants to churches and Christian charities. tackling poverty and deprivation. Sir Philip Mawer, Allchurches’ Chairman, Guidance on how to prepare for said: “Thanks to the generosity and hard Of the many small but vital grants of GDPR is available from the Information work of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group and between £500 and £6,000 made annually, Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and you the loyalty of its customers, last year we recent examples include £2,000 towards a can find detailed guidance on how this were able to give £15.6 million to projects all night shelter, £1,250 for a school library and, applies to churches on the Parish over the UK and Ireland that are improving over the course of 2017, 37 grants to Resources website. lives, strengthening communities and restore or repair church bells. ICO overview of GDPR www.ico.org.uk bringing hope.” For more information about Allchurches Parish Resources’ Church guidance One of Allchurches’ largest grants in 2017 Trust, and the grants they give, visit www.parishresources.org.uk/gdpr was £300,000 for the Church Urban Fund’s www.allchurches.co.uk

Casts of Christian crosses Maintenance Booker conserved by V&A Museum

Ecclesiastical are Six towering early Christian crosses in the pleased to be Victoria and Albert Museum’s famous supporting the Cast Courts will be conserved thanks to a National Churches grant from Allchurches Trust, owners of Trust’s new Ecclesiastical. The crosses were cast in MaintenanceBooker plaster from ancient stone crosses around initiative. The new the British Isles during the mid-19th web-based service makes it easy to century, and installed in the Cast Courts keep church buildings in good repair. along with copies of other architectural MaintenanceBooker allows churches and ecclesiastical wonders including, and chapels in England and Wales to astonishingly, Trajan’s Column. get a quote from accredited Allchurches Trust’s grant contributes to the contractors with experience in church V&A’s project to restore the West Court and and historic building maintenance. Central Gallery, which are due to open in You can find out more at: autumn 2018, completing the redevelopment www.maintenancebooker.org.uk of the magnificent Cast Courts. What would your church do with a donation of £130? To celebrate both our 130th anniversary and being voted as the most trusted home insurance provider in the Fairer Finance rankings, we are offering to donate £130 to your church when you take out a new home insurance policy. Information at your fingertips

Our dedicated website for churches contains bespoke advice on how to look after your buildings and the people that use them. From health and safety guidance and risk assessment templates to ideas for fundraising events, our website provides a wealth of information. Our Church Matters website is dedicated to churches and contains bespoke advice for your church buildings and the people who use them, plus more information on all our products and services. Find out more at: www.ecclesiastical.com/ churchmatters

All you have to do is take out a new home You’ll be insured against a range of events Do we have insurance policy with us, quoting ‘Trust130’ such as fire, theft, subsidence, storm or flood and we will do the rest. Full terms and and escape of water. Our home contents and up-to-date contact conditions are available on our website: buildings policy includes: www.ecclesiastical.com/trust130. details for you? Up to £750,000 buildings and £75,000 Call our team to find out more: contents cover If your contact details are out of date or 0800 783 0130 Home emergency cover are incorrect, let us know via phone or Up to £50,000 legal expenses cover complete the form on our website available here: Up to £3,500 for accidental loss or damage Our home insurance www.ecclesiastical.com/ to valuables and personal belongings that churchchangedetails At Ecclesiastical, we pride ourselves on you take away from your home. providing honest and specialist insurance You can also update us on changes to Find out more about our award-winning for those associated with the church, and names, emails addresses, phone home insurance at: our home insurance is no different. Our numbers and changes to PCC www.ecclesiastical.com/homeinsurance home insurance is tailored to meet the members by phone. specific needs of our customers, including or call our team: 0800 783 0130 Call 0345 777 3322 specialist cover for clergy, church workers and church volunteers. We aim to keep insurance simple, and make Has your church already it as clear and easy for you to understand received a donation? as possible. Tell us how you’ve used it by posting your story on our Facebook page and There’s nothing standard tagging us @Ecclesiastical. about our standard policy Alternatively, you can send your story Some companies might charge more for in to our team at: useful extras, but your Ecclesiastical policy [email protected] and includes cover against losing keys, legal we might share it on our website and expenses and home emergency protection Facebook account! at no extra cost. Overall customer We’re here for you... satisfaction* Ecclesiastical supports our church customers with more than just church insurance – read on to find out more about how we 99% can help you. *Based on 1464 responses to Ecclesiastical’s customer opinion survey 2017.

Theft of metal Theft of metal is, unfortunately, an ongoing problem for churches. In recent years, we have received numerous claims for theft of metal from our policyholders, the vast majority of which have been from church properties. Financial Advice Car Insurance Metal theft can have a massive impact on a church, from the cost of the replacement Ecclesiastical Financial Advisory Ecclesiastical Insurance Services metal, to subsequent damage to the church Services (EFAS) bring you independent offer extra benefits tailored for the during the course of the theft or subsequent financial advice from a company you clergy. Including business use (anything leaks in a roof. know and trust. Our experts advise relating to the church), no charge for clergy, church people and PCCs on monthly payments, no administration What can you do to protect your church? making investments (including ethical charges for changes to the policy and There are steps you can take to help protect investing), pension and retirement up to £500 for church goods in the car. your church from theft of metal, and your planning, mortgages and life assurance. Call 0345 450 9396 policy only covers you for metal theft if the Call 0800 107 0190 www.ecclesiastical following steps have been taken: Email: [email protected] insuranceservices.co.uk Apply a forensic marking system approved by us (such as SmartWater) to external metal Register the marking system with the provider Clearly display signage of the marking system to deter thieves. To find out more and to read our full guidance notes visit: www.ecclesiastical.com/ theftofmetal Funeral Plans Making a Claim A funeral plan from Ecclesiastical is an We will work swiftly and deal with ideal way to make financial provision your claim fairly and if we can resolve for your funeral, as well as reducing it when you first contact us, we will. the worry for your loved ones at a If it is a little more complicated, we difficult time. Making your funeral will give you direct access to an wishes known in advance and expert claims handler, so you providing for the cost makes sound always know what’s happening financial sense. with your claim. Call 0800 055 6503 Call 0345 603 8381 Email: [email protected] www.ecclesiastical.com/claims

Our specialist customer service team Our dedicated church customer service team have a deep understanding of the specialist needs of those who look after, and protect, churches. Our friendly team are ready to help you with any query, no matter how big or small, and are available by telephone, email or post. Call 0345 777 3322 (8am-6pm Monday to Friday except Bank Holidays) Email: [email protected] Post: Church customer services, Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1JZ or no impact on the historic fabric of the church or churchyard. They are reviewed by Online Faculties a DAC member (or members) and require the permission of the Diocesan Registrar before they can proceed. Our church buildings, contents and grounds are protected by Faculty Full Faculty applications Jurisdiction, where any repair, alteration, extension, disposal or addition needs to These are also online. Churches will still submit receive approval. As St Asaph’s Churches their applications for review to the DAC, who Conservation and Development Officer, will then submit them to the Registrar (who checks they conform to the rules of the Church Rachel Cutler explains, this now takes in Wales’ Constitution). He/she in turn submits place through the Online Faculty them to the Chancellor for determination. System or OFS. All the information previously required for a full The online system was launched in January faculty application is still needed for the OFS: 2018 and provides a system that is: List A & B Faculty applications a completed faculty form (a petition) easier to use These were introduced at the same time as the supporting information such as architects more transparent – you can see exactly OFS to provide a more streamlined permissions plans and specifications, builder’s quotes, where your application is in the system process to churches wishing to carry out photographs etc more streamlined routine maintenance, minor or straightforward the public notice of proposed works and a less-involved process for minor works works to their churches and churchyards. statements of significance and need easily accessible at any time for forms List A applications cover routine Church Committee and Mission Area and information. maintenance or minor like-for-like repairs Minutes showing that the proposals have and require no formal permission to approval. All faculty applications will now be proceed, although both the DAC and the processed through the OFS, which you can If you have any queries about the new Diocesan Registrar are notified. access via our website at http://stasaph. system, please contact Rachel Cutler churchinwales.org.uk/life/property/ List B applications cover straightforward on 01745 532584 or email faculties/ works (eg replacing a boiler) that have little [email protected]

The main providers of such funding are the Big Lottery or Heritage Lottery. Finding Funding Other funders will provide substantial amounts, providing certain criteria are fulfilled. A ‘good cause’ is not enough to secure funding. What will increase your chances of a successful application or bid for funding? Demonstrate the need – why it is important, is it what your community wants? Plan – get a team together, particularly if the project is substantial. Involve people from the general community. Include projected timescales – start and finish Project Management – strengths and experience of the people involved Outline full costs of your project You have a project, but where do you find grants are rarely available, and the funder funding? Sourcing it may not be as hard will seek some percentage of match Community – explain who your project as you think, but there are no guarantees funding. The funders will have details on will benefit and why of success. Martyn Schlangen, St Asaph’s their website on how you apply, either by an The diocese office has a funding officer Funding Administrator, says following application form or sometimes a letter. and funding administrator to point you in some simple guidelines can improve Re-ordering: these are the projects that the right direction and provide advice. An your chances of securing funding. can have a substantial cost. Funding is initial discussion may help you identify what you need and guidance on how to proceed. Projects usually fall into two categories: available for all or a large proportion of the project cost, including major fabric repairs 1. repairs to the fabric of the building such as roof repairs or additional or updated Contact facilities. These need to be incorporated into 2. re-ordering of the church. Tracey White a project that opens up a space for the local [email protected] Repairs can be major or minor; they are community to facilitate activities, or feature usually identified within the Quinquennial the heritage and unique aspects of the Martyn Schlangen report or from visible inspection. 100% church and its grounds. [email protected] Victorian mosaics unearthed in Flintshire Church during major renovation project Grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Garfield Weston, the National Churches Trust and many others helped St Michael’s in Caerwys, Flintshire, find the necessary Sale of church funding for their project. hall enables The 50-strong congregation completed a The church’s project manager was Roland £190,000 renovation project in 2017 that Ward. He said: “When the contractors lifted a re-ordering saw the church re-ordered to include an forty-year-old maroon carpet in the chancel, internal toilet and baby changing facility and they discovered the Victorian encaustic tiling A £100,000 re-ordering project for a new kitchen. In addition, the previously and a beautiful array of fine mosaics which St Thomas’ Church in Glyndyfrdwy dark interior has been lifted by fitting glazed date from a restoration in 1896. The tiles was largely funded by the sale of its external doors, and replacing heavy carpet and mosaics were covered in a thick layer church hall. Additional funding came with the renovated original woodblock of adhesive, and many of the mosaic pieces from the Diocese and £5,000 from flooring. came up with the carpet. The contractors the Buckley Fields Trust. carefully cleaned the mosaics and tiles, and £35,000 was raised by the congregation re-fitted them. The main purpose of the works was to themselves. A further £20,000 was given by adapt the building for use by the Sunday the Diocese of St Asaph’s Transformation “In addition, work on the toilet uncovered a School, for modern forms of worship Fund, a million-pound fund which is wall memorial dated 1732 to ‘Honest Richard such as café-style church and to make it supporting churches to become fit for Foulk’ of Ysceifiog. Rather than cover up more suitable for use by members of the purpose in twenty-first century Wales. Honest Richard’s memorial, it is now a spot-lit community. feature, above the washbasin.” During the works, contractors uncovered Work started on the exterior of the encaustic tiling in vivid reds, yellows and The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory church to stop water damage to the greens, a beautiful array of fine Victorian Cameron, rededicated the church in a special plaster and paintwork. After that, the mosaics and a wall memorial dated 1732. service on 18 December 2017. pews were removed along with the large-diameter heating pipes which were routed around the walls and either side of the central aisle. Radiators were then installed on the side wall, the pipe organ was removed, and the font relocated from near the main entrance to the south-east corner of the nave. A toilet, a kitchen-in-a-cupboard and a storeroom were all created, and connected to the mains drainage. After that the floor was levelled and a carpet laid. During the period of closure, which lasted fifteen months, the congregation met in the village hall.

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