FREE AM DDIM TEULU ASAPH Esgobaeth Llanelwy of Hydref/Tachwedd October/November 2016

Inside Tu mewn Welcoming the Stranger Croesawu’r Dieithryn New prison chaplains Caplaniaid carchar newydd Diocesan Offering shortlist Rhestr fer Casgliad yr Esgobaeth Note from the editor

Welcome to the October/ shows us how we can be involved in November issue of Teulu Asaph. supporting ‘strangers’.

First – a huge thank you to all of you It’s clear that the transition from who’ve contacted me since the last Deaneries to Mission Areas is issue with positive comments about uppermost in the minds of many the magazine’s new look, and ideas and is raising all kinds of questions. for future issues. It’s great to hear In this issue Peter Pike that the magazine is beginning to answers the question ‘What exactly hit the spot. is a Church Committee?’ I look forward to hearing from you – your comments, questions, stories, The theme for this issue is And – finally – coming back to and photos. ‘Welcoming the Stranger’, which our theme – could your church feels very relevant in our post- run Posada this Advent, offering referendum world where hate hospitality to Mary and Joseph on crimes against ‘strangers’ seem their journey to Bethlehem? It’s a fun to be increasing. Bishop Gregory way to get your involved and our very own US stranger, in the Christmas story – and if you karenmaurice@churchinwales. Mark Yaconelli, offer us insights, decide to do it, why not send me org.uk / 07918 133420 while Christian Aid’s Refugee Walk your photos to inspire others?

In this issue 4 3 Are we Hospitable? / A ydym yn Groesawgar? 4 Welcoming the Stranger 6 Clink Ministry 7 News / Newyddion 6 8 Voting Time for a Worthy Cause 10 Your Questions Answered! 11 I want to be ….? 14 12 Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi 14 Schools / Ysgolion 15 Resources / Adnoddau

16 16 The Family Who Came to Stay

© . Teulu Asaph is edited by Karen Maurice, designed by Jeff Lewis (Space on White Ltd) and printed by PWS Print Limited. The deadline for the December/January edition is 28 October. Please send copy and high quality images to Karenmaurice@ churchinwales.org.uk for inclusion. While we welcome all contributions, unfortunately we are not able to print everything we are sent.

2 | Teulu Asaph Bishop’s Word / Gair gan yr Esgob

Are we A ydym yn hospitable? groesawgar?

There’s a curious story in Genesis 18, Mae stori ryfedd i’w chael yn Genesis 18, lle where Abraham and Sarah are visited by mae tri dyn yn ymweld ag Abraham a Sarah. three men. It is a visitation from God, and Ymweliad oddi wrth Dduw ydyw, ac ar unwaith Christian theologians immediately saw the fe welodd diwinyddion Cristnogol y tri ffigur yn Trinity in the three figures, and that in turn cynrychioli’r Drindod, ac fe wnaeth hynny yn inspired a wonderful icon by the Russian ei dro ysbrydoli eicon gwych gan yr arlunydd painter Andrei Rublev (pictured). Rwsiaidd Andrei Rublev (gweler y darlun).

With this story in mind, perhaps, Gyda’r stori hon mewn golwg, the apostle talks in Hebrews 13 efallai, mae’r apostol yn sôn yn about people ‘entertaining angels Hebreaid 13 am bobl “heb wybod unawares’, but the message is plain: hynny, wedi rhoi llety i angylion”, the friends of God should practise ond mae’r neges yn blaen: fe ddylai hospitality. Such hospitality was cyfeillion Duw ymarfer lletygarwch. obvious in the middle east, where Roedd lletygarwch o’r fath yn amlwg an oasis, or an isolated home could yn y dwyrain canol, lle y gallai mean the difference between life and gwerddon, neu gartref ynysig olygu’r death for a traveller, but it is no less gwahaniaeth rhwng byw a marw i essential in our present day. deithiwr, ond mae lletygarwch yr un mor hanfodol yn ein dyddiau ni Are we hospitable? I can understand heddiw. that engaging with the stranger is frightening because of the unknowns, A ydym yn groesawgar? Gallaf that we are all shy of finding ourselves ddeall bod ymgysylltu â dieithryn out of our depth when hospitality is yn frawychus oherwydd yr hyn requested of us, and we can’t ask sy’n anhysbys, ac rydym i gyd the impossible: but I do believe yn gallu bod yn anesmwyth wrth that our society needs greater hospitality. Whether it ganfod ein hunain allan o’n dyfnder pan ofynnir am ein concerns refugees, or people of other races, beliefs lletygarwch. Ni allwn ofyn am yr amhosibl: ond rwy’n and attitudes, sometimes just the neighbour that we’ve credu bod angen mwy o letygarwch yn ein cymdeithas. never really talked to before, extending the hand of P’un a yw’n ymwneud â ffoaduriaid, neu bobl o hiliau, friendship, reassuring strangers that they are not under credoau ac agweddau eraill, weithiau dim ond ymwneud threat, building connections between people in society â chymdogion nad ydyn ni wedi siarad â nhw o’r blaen, are actions essential to mutual prosperity. gan ymestyn llaw cyfeillgarwch, rhoi tawelwch meddwl i ddieithriaid a’u sicrhau nad ydyn nhw o dan fygythiad, God welcomes us in Jesus Christ, can we all try to mae meithrin cysylltiadau rhwng pobl yn y gymdeithas push the boundaries of our hospitality as individuals yn gamau hanfodol at ffyniant i’n gilydd. and as Churches in the coming months? What more can we do to welcome the stranger, the lonely, Mae Duw’n ein croesawu ni yn Iesu Grist, allwn ni i gyd the outcast? geisio gwthio ffiniau ein lletygarwch fel unigolion ac fel Eglwysi yn y misoedd sydd i ddod? Beth arall y gallwn Bishop Gregory ni ei wneud i groesawu’r dieithryn, yr unig, neu’r alltud?

Esgob Gregory

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 3 Welcoming the Stranger Christian Aid/Dyfed Wyn Roberts

For the past year our news has been dominated by harrowing stories of refugees – stories of what they are fleeing, worse stories of their journeys, and the reception they meet in Europe. Anna Jane Evans, North Area Co-ordinator for Christian Aid, describes the sponsored walk the charity is organising to support refugees.

Escape to Egypt – Christian Ffoi i’r Aifft – Taith Ffoaduriaid Aid’s Refugee Walk Cymorth Cristnogol

In December, Christian Aid staff and supporters will Y Nadolig hwn bydd rhai o staff a chefnogwyr Cymorth walk from Bethlehem (Carmarthenshire) to Aifft (Egypt, Cristnogol yn cerdded o Fethlehem, Sir Gaerfyrddin, i’r ) to stand with the 65million refugees Aifft, Sir Ddinbych, i gydsefyll gyda 65 miliwn o ffoaduriaid across the world, our brothers and sisters. It is a ar draws y byd, ein brodyr a’n chwiorydd. Taith noddedig sponsored walk and the contributions will go to the fydd hi, gyda’r cyfraniadau’n mynd tuag at apel Nadolig Christian Aid Christmas appeal which focusses on our Cymorth Cristnogol sy’n ffocysu ar ffoaduriaid. work with refugees. • Rhagfyr 12 - bydd y daith yn cyrraedd Esgobaeth • December 12 – the walk will arrive in the St Asaph Llanelwy – yn dod o gyfeiriad Brithdir i’r Bala Diocese – from Brithdir into Bala • Rhagfyr 13 - ymlaen i gyfeiriad • December 13 - from Bala towards Corwen • Rhagfyr 14 - i Rhuthun • December 14 - from Corwen to • Rhagfyr 15 - yn gorffen ein • December 15 - the final push from Ruthin to Aifft • taith drwy gerdded o Rhuthun i’r Aifft

We are holding a special service to welcome the walkers Bydd gwasanaeth arbennig i groesawu’r cerddwyr and to pray and campaign for refugees in St Asaph ac i weddio ac ymgyrchu dros ffoaduriaid yn Eglwys Cathedral on December, 15 at 7pm where Bishop Gadeiriol Llanelwy am 7 o’r gloch nos Iau Rhagfyr 15fed Gregory will preach. lle bydd Esgob Gregory yn pregethu.

We are asking for your help as churches and individuals to: Byddwn yn falch iawn o gael eich cefnogaeth fel eglwysi ac unigolion i: • Walk some of the way with us • Offer accommodation/lunch to the walkers • Gerdded gyda ni am rywfaint o’r daith • Pray with us – there will be resources and a liturgy • Gynnig llety/cinio i’r cerddwyr available • Gweddio gyda ni – bydd adnoddau a gwasanaeth • Help to raise sponsorship for the walk and arbennig ar gael encourage people to come to the service in St • Helpu i gasglu noddwyr ac i annog pobl i ddod i’r Asaph. gwasanaeth yn Llanelwy.

For more information please contact Anna Jane Find out more…. Evans – [email protected] 01248 353574 / 0790 154 5114

4 | Teulu Asaph “Thank You for Welcoming the Stranger”

Mark Yaconelli, St Asaph’s power of personal storytelling to In former Missioner in draw out the spiritual potential of my last Residence, reflects on people. weeks in the diocese I led five retreats with various groups. What personal perspectives This storytelling gathering was I can tell you is that the people about being a stranger. one of my last public events in the who I found to be most alive, Diocese and the theme couldn’t most awake to the life of God, Every seat was filled in have been more perfect. I came are the people who are working Pavilion as six brave to ‘a stranger in a at the margins of our society, souls stood to share a personal strange land,’ but soon found with the homeless, the poor, story on the theme ‘Stranger addicts, refugees, immigrants, in a Strange Land.’ young people and other Moses remembered his marginalized groups. God childhood in Nigeria and has always been found contrasted the physical along the edges, among poverty of his home the powerless. He is still country to the spiritual there today. and relational poverty he found in the West. When I came to Wales Monica told an inspiring last February you were story of how seeing all strangers to me and a photo of a drowned yet you became living Syrian boy drew out signs of God’s love and her own personal grief passion. My hope in this and led her to start a time of transformation, local charity to assist Father Moses Amune Monica Hogg is that you will continue refugees. Catherine to look outward, seeking shared the displacement she felt myself and my family warmly God among strangers (of all kinds) moving year-to-year to various welcomed. So many people within so that God might bless you and military bases across Europe and the diocese opened their homes shape you into the how this experience and themselves to make sure we Church you long to gave her great empathy for felt at home. For the rest of my become. refugees in Calais. life I will treasure the people and places within the Diocese of St This public storytelling raised over Asaph. £550 for SHARE, a charity that assists refugees and the homeless in North Wales. If there is one word I can leave The event was the culmination you with, it is this: God is found of a number of training sessions among the strangers. ‘Welcome in community outreach. Church the Stranger’ was Jesus’ word groups in Bala and to us, and I believe it is had already established their because in the openness own community storytelling between the comfortable and the programmes, but this event in vulnerable (the resident and the Llangollen gave an example of the alien) that God is known. www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 5 Clink Ministry

The UK’s largest prison opens Governor Support of both paid and volunteer chaplains. in North Wales early next year “There’s plenty of scope,” he said, “for churches to get involved with the work and will house 2,000 men. The In the congregation were prison staff of the chaplaincy at HMP Berwyn. I’m construction of HMP Berwyn, and the new governor, Russ Trent. looking forward to receiving invitations near Industrial He’s working hard to ensure the prison from churches and faith groups becomes part of and is supported by Estate, is already well to speak on the work we do and the local community. “I’m really keen underway. One completed encourage them to get involved.” wing is being used as training to see the community coming into the prison and being part of what we do” facilities for the hundreds of said Russ. “In terms of the chaplaincy, staff, many recruited locally, there’ll be carol services to attend at Find out more…. who will work in the prison. Christmas, events at Easter and plenty Among the recent recruits are more going on.” To get involved with HMP the two Anglican Chaplains Berwyn’s Chaplaincy email who will run the interfaith Part of Mark John’s role between now Mark John at chaplaincy inside HMP and the opening of the prison at the [email protected]. Berwyn. Teulu Asaph’s editor, end of February is to build his team Karen Maurice, went along to their licensing service. Wrexham Prison More than a hundred people gathered in Wrexham’s St Giles Church for a Fellowship special Evensong where the Revd Mark John and the Revd Alan Pierce- Joan and Michael Winwood (right), Jones were licensed as priests in this based near Llangollen, run Wrexham diocese by the Prison Fellowship, part of a national (pictured above). Mark, the Managing charity which supports prisoners. Chaplain is the A burglary at their home 11 years ago former Coordinating prompted them to get involved in Chaplain of HMP prison ministry, through Restorative Cardiff and has Justice Programmes. These days Find out more…. relocated to North they assist with Sycamore Tree, a six Wales for the role. week victim awareness course based Visit www.prisonfellowship. Alan is currently on the story of Zacchaeus from org.uk Anglican Luke’s Gospel. Joan and Michael Chaplain at are keen to support Alan and John’s To find out more about HMP Kennet work at HMP Berwyn. National Wrexham Prison Fellowship on Merseyside Prisons Week runs from 9-15 October and Prison Week events which is due and they will be running a prayer vigil email michael.winwood@ to close at St Collen’s Church, Llangollen, on btinternet.com next year. 10 October.

6 | Teulu Asaph News / Newyddion

Archbishop to retire in January

The , Dr Barry Paying tribute to his ministry, the who would be ‘deeply missed’ while Morgan, will retire next year after Archbishop of Canterbury described Dr the First Minister of Wales praised his nearly 14 years at the helm of the Morgan as an ‘extraordinary servant’ ‘vast contribution’ to Welsh life. and 24 years as a bishop. Dr Morgan, who is the longest serving archbishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion and also one of the longest serving bishops, will retire on his 70th birthday at the end of January. He will also retire as after more than 17 years’ service, having previously been for nearly seven years. He will continue his work and engagements in both roles as normal until then.

New training Order of officer St Asaph

A new training officer has been Five people will receive the appointed to work alongside Richard Order of St Asaph in recognition of Hainsworth as part of the new St their services to the Diocese. Admission Padarn’s training team, based in this of the new members will take place diocese. Glen Lund has just returned during Choral Evensong at St Asaph from Zambia where he worked for Cathedral on Sunday 3 October at 6pm. five years teaching and managing Among the recipients is Martyn Walsh a library for the United Church of who is being honoured for his significant Zambia. Glen will mainly look after contribution to the development of Teulu the formational side of ministerial Asaph and the logos and visual identity training and Richard the academic of 2020 Vision. The other recipients are side of training. You can contact Philip Eyton-Jones, John Last, Clive Glen at [email protected] / Myers and Peter Williams. Everyone is 07918624675. welcome at the service. LGBTQIA+ chaplaincy launched

The official launch of the UK’s first begin meeting monthly at three Details at http://stasaph.churchinwa LGBTQIA+ chaplaincy has taken churches across the diocese from les.org.uk/life/steering-groups/ place at St Gwrst Church, Llanwrst January 2017. engaging/lgbt-chaplaincy/ heralding the start of this pioneering new pastoral ministry. Seventy people from across the Diocese and beyond joined the Bishop of St Asaph and the new chaplain, the Revd Sarah Hildreth-Osborn for a celebratory Eucharist, followed by refreshments. The chaplaincy will www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 7 Voting Time for a Worthy Cause

This year’s Diocesan Conference takes place in Wrexham on Saturday 8 October. As part of proceedings, conference representatives will vote on which of the five short listed local charities should receive the 2017 Diocesan Offering. Ros Crawford, the Diocesan Offering Officer, encourages you to read each pitch and ensure your conference rep votes for your church’s top choice.

Advance Age Connects Dynamic Brighter Futures For 20 years Dynamic has provided after school, weekend and holiday activities for children and Advance Brighter Futures is a Mental Age Connects has been providing young people with disabilities and Wellbeing Charity. The majority of relief for older people for over 20 life-limiting illness. We operate from our work takes place in Wrexham; years, some of whom are the most our Wrexham centre and support however we are looking at expanding isolated and vulnerable in our children from neighbouring counties. one of our services across all six society. We provide information, counties in North Wales. advice, befriending, support, Dynamic provides a safe, age therapies, gardening and community appropriate environment for all For people with severe mental health links/forums within the St Asaph disabilities enabling socialisation, difficulties we offer one-to-one Diocese area. play, craft, music, games, making support to obtain a range of personal friends, and trips into the community. goals. We develop, organise and We propose to use the offering Activities are based around abilities deliver group activities and provide towards recruitment and training of and development of skills to help volunteering opportunities. volunteers who are an integral part of young people between the ages of 8 our befriending services, community and 25 in their future lives. For people with mild to moderate forums and care home activities. mental health issues, we provide The volunteer programme includes Dynamic is currently negotiating to therapeutic groups to help promotional material, distribution and purchase a plot of land to build a depression and anxiety. Our advertising, recruitment and induction, purpose designed facility. Parents Promoting Awareness and Resilience DBS clearance and appraisals. describe the service as a ‘life-line’; course for young people combines ‘the only place my child can attend’. activity and education. We are assisted by 60 volunteers each year. With the diocesan offering The Diocesan Offering In 2013 we launched specific it will help to sustain and grow this would be a fantastic support for post-natal depression level to 80 volunteers. support towards in the county, including one-to-one ensuring that our mentoring, baby massage, a CBT We expect volunteers to help support services continue based course and local walks. We up to 5,000 vulnerable individuals aged to be provided at hope to expand this project to cover over 50, to live independent lives. 65% the level we do the whole of North Wales by the start of those helped will be aged 75+, 27% and our hopes of 2017. have a disability and 70% are living for expansion alone. can be realised. www.advancebrighterfutureswrexham .co.uk www.ageconnectsnwc.org www.dynamicwrexham.org.uk www.acnew.org.uk

8 | Teulu Asaph The Children Foundation Ty Croeso

Ty Croeso is a facility for families located in the grounds of Ysbyty Glan , funded entirely by The Children Foundation runs early charitable donation and supported years settings in the Wrexham area by a wonderful team of volunteers. Staff at Advance Brighter Futures to ensure social justice by providing It provides overnight accommodation high quality care and education to and daytime support to the families give every child an equal start in life. of children admitted to the hospital.

In April 2016 we were awarded the Those who benefit include the GOLD quality mark in reading due parents of chronically ill children to the educational experiences who frequently stay, those with life- provided at the nurseries. In 2016 limiting conditions such as muscular we expanded our practice to include dystrophy, cancer and leukaemia or supporting mothers with postnatal cystic fibrosis and also families who Age Connects volunteers with the Older depression and children with are short stay but live great distances People’s Commissioner for Wales attachment issues. from the hospital. We also support families of babies in the Special Care We would now like to offer support to Baby Unit (SCBU). Expected highlights of this fathers who are often forgotten and year’s conference: may struggle to support the mother Families come from across North and child with these issues. Our vision Wales and often further afield • The legacy of Mark is to disseminate home activities Parents of very sick children Yaconelli’s Residency that individually cater to the child are under great stress and the • Three Unlocking our and father to provide an enriching facilities provide a home from home Potential “I did this…” time allowing their relationship to environment. stories from around the blossom. This will then support the diocese relationship of the father and mother The charity is run with minimum • Hopes, fears and plans for and help prevent family breakdown. expense but finds it increasingly Mission Areas The diocesan funding would bring this difficult to raise sufficient funds. It • Worship led by Cedewain project to fruition. now has to expand to accommodate Mission Area the needs of the forthcoming www.shap.org.uk/the-children- specialist neonatal intensive care The next edition of Teulu Asaph foundation centre at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. will contain a full report on the conference. www.ty-croeso.org.uk/

What you need to do recipient will be announced in November. In the meantime, don’t Find out more…. As a church, decide which of these forget to be raising money for the charities you would like to receive 2016 Diocesan Offering for Blind Full details on the conference the 2017 Diocesan Offering and ask Veterans UK! You can still donate on are available at http://stasaph. your Diocesan Conference rep to line at: crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ churchinwales.org.uk/life/ vote accordingly. The successful DiocesanOfferingBlindVeteransUK www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 9 Your Questions Answered In the last edition of Teulu Asaph, Bishop Gregory outlined how Mission Areas are going to be formally created in this diocese. As part of this, we invited you to send in your questions relating to Mission Areas. In this edition, the Archdeacon of Mongomery, Peter Pike, provides more information on church committees, as requested by Drew Glasgow from St John the Baptist Church, .

What is a church Conference are decided by the shall happen. Also, a Mission committee? Mission Area itself, to ensure Area may choose to have a fair representation of each of single Church Committee for a the Churches, so the principles group of its churches. Each church in a Mission Area behind and therefore rules for may elect its own Church election to the individual Church Committee to be responsible When will this be Committees can be so decided. for running itself, and to do happening? If there is a dispute, or no all those things which PCCs rules are adopted, the Diocesan currently do, except for matters This will happen when your Standing Committee may act now given to the Mission Area Mission Area is recognised on behalf of the Mission Area to Conference. by the Diocesan Standing establish what is needed. As far as ‘matters now given Committee and subsequently I envisage the Church to the Mission Area Conference’ inaugurated at a service Committees having a similar is concerned, it is perhaps presided over by our Diocesan ‘feel’ to our current PCCs, but helpful to quote the Decree at Bishop. While this statement without some of their legal and this stage: ‘(T)he Mission Area is clear, there will inevitably be administrative duties. Their shall appoint a Mission Area some ‘overlap’ in arrangements genius will be to care for, and Conference which shall have in practice. promote carefully, the ‘very the powers and responsibility local’. of both the Parochial Church Council and the Deanery Conference as set out in the Will it replace the Constitution (sections 4b and PCC? Find out more…. 4c) including, but not limited to, promoting the whole mission of The short answer is ‘no’, as the The 2020 Vision Toolkit the Church and assessing the PCCs we currently have will be part 2 has now been needs of the Mission Area in replaced by ‘one PCC’ - the sent to all churches respect of finance, personnel, Mission Area Conference. and is available on and buildings and property. line at www.stasaph. Will every church churchinwales.org.uk How will it be set up need to set up a /life/2020-vision/tool and run? committee? kit-part-2/

The Decree is not prescriptive As mentioned above, the If you have a question about this. As the rules for Decree enables this to happen please email karenmaurice@ election to the Mission Area rather than prescribes that it churchinwales.org.uk

10 | Teulu Asaph I want to be….an Evangelist

New forms of licensed lay • Seeking to build meaningful new Why I became an ministry are being developed relationships with members of Evangelist for the Church in Wales. their community Cass Meurig, is a musician, wife and One of the first is Licensed • Finding opportunities to share faith in new ways within these mother of 3 children, living in Bala: Evangelist and so far, there communities She said: “I see my role as Evangelist are six in the Diocese of • Exploring relevant ways of as helping those St Asaph. The Diocesan being church today and new who find it hard to Training Officer, Richard expressions of church. relate to traditional Hainsworth, explains what an forms of church to Evangelist is and the training How do I become an encounter God and to know the fullness required for the role. Evangelist? and excitement of a What is an Evangelist? Mission Areas should discern the life lived in faith. My hope is to help need for Evangelists as part of their develop and support new communities An Evangelist is licensed by the shared ministry teams. If you feel of faith, expressed in fresh ways but Bishop to serve as part of a shared called to Evangelist ministry, and drawing on the rich spiritual heritage of ministry team, usually in a Mission have the support of your Mission the church.“ Area. They are called to engage Area, local church clergy will refer with their communities and develop you via the Diocesan Office to a relevant forms of church, or to Vocations Advisor. This person will Find out more…. enable new people to join existing support you in reflection until you are forms of church. The communities ready for a discernment board. Those exploring whether they engage with might be in a this ministry is for them are geographical area but could also What sort of training is welcome to join Exploring be demographic (such as young involved? Faith at the beginning of, mothers) or interest-based (eg or during, their vocational around a football club). Candidates will study through the St Padarn’s Institute, typically for two journey. What sort of work do they years. The course involves academic See the guide: Ministry Roles, do? study with additional weekend and summer school residentials. Formation and Training in Evangelists work as a team with Students will also have a the Diocese of St Asaph at clergy, other Lay Ministers and Formational Cell to reflect with and http://stasaph.churchinwales. church members within Mission Area are expected to have a Spiritual org.uk/life/steering-groups/ teams. Their work depends on the Director as well as joining the developing/lay-ministry/ gifts and skills of the individual and Ministry Team of their Mission Area the characteristics and needs of the to gain experience. Additional, Contact the Diocesan Training community they are called to serve. specific Evangelist experience Officer: Revd Dr Richard This may include: training will also be offered. Hainsworth on 01352 840842 • Being intentionally present and On completion of training, or exploringfaithasaph@gmail. available in the community they Evangelists are licensed by the com are engaging with Bishop at a public service.

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 11 Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi

Searching out the Treasures

One of the messages of 2020 Vision is to try new ways of worshipping and of ‘being church’. Ben Davidson was part of a small group at St Mary’s, , which created a service suitable for all ages, and he describes what they did. A request to organise an All Age Worship service at St Mary’s on the same weekend as a community Treasure Hunt in Rhuddlan prompted the opportunity to use this as the theme of our service. Using pictorial and cryptic clues we set the congregation hunting for of Christ in Rhuddlan. Each item’s things they had never noticed before ‘treasures’ that have their home in description concluded with prayer within St Mary’s. This idea of searching St Mary’s Church. On discovering a celebrating an aspect of our Christian out particular ‘treasures’ in church that ‘treasure’, its story and meaning was life. tell a more universal Christian story explained showing how it illustrated The format of the service worked could be employed again, perhaps an aspect of what it meant to the Body well, and many in the congregation saw seasonally, at Christmas or Easter.

Flowers at

St Mary’s Church, Treuddyn held a four day flower festival over the August bank To Walsingham holiday weekend, writes Susan Hellen. A group of pilgrims from the Cathedral to build a shrine that would become The congregation of and around the diocese set off in July ‘’s Nazareth’. St Mary’s prepared on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Over the week, pilgrims from St. the church and were Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk, led Asaph were able to join others from responsible for the by Fr Rex Matthias (Canon Precentor across the country in celebrating Our flower arrangements at the Cathedral). The Shrine has Lady, receiving the healing waters of with help from local been a site of pilgrimage for almost a the well and joining in the beautiful florist, Sue Williams. thousand years, after Lady Richeldis Pilgrim Mass. We hope to have Treuddyn’s Terrig experienced a vision of the Blessed another pilgrimage to Walsingham Art Group created Virgin Mary (‘Our Lady’) calling her next year. an exhibition and several art displays. Homemade cakes and refreshments St John’s Re-opens were served in the church grounds in a gazebo overlooking Hope St John’s Church, Llangollen has and toilet facilities. The rededication Mountain. 300 visitors attended to been formally re-opened by the service was followed by a party see the stunning arrangements in a Bishop of St Asaph after a £70,000 celebrating ten years of ministry in beautiful church in a relaxing, rural re-ordering project to add kitchen the by the Vicar, Andrew Sully. setting.

12 | Teulu Asaph Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi

Noah visits Meirionnydd Show End of PILGRIM

Evans. It involved setting up a More than 30 people gathered to tent and, using the Open the Book celebrate the end of a mammoth project, the theme for the day was two and a half year PILGRIM course set to share the story of Noah. completed in Bistre. All eight books The story was told and acted to in the series were studied with more audiences of various ages five times. than 50 people taking part along Noah and a partner also walked the the way. The pilgrims met at The field sharing a booklet of the story. It Millstone restaurant in is easy to have an idea, to plan and to mark the occasion. The Revd hope for the best but the success of Sally Baird who led the course said: An ecumenical group based around the day was down to the willingness “We had a wonderful evening as Corwen and Bala was set up to of ecumenical volunteers who gave 31 people enjoyed the food and participate in the Meirionnydd of their time to ensure that the day the company and shared stories of Agricultural Show, writes Dorothi was full of fun and blessings. how they became friends. PILGRIM happened, we celebrated the fact that it had happened and we look Noa yn y Sioe Sir! forward to what may happen next.”

Eleni, yn y Sioe Sir yng Nghorwen, gemau amrywiol a diodydd a bisgedi. roedd Pabell yr Eglwysi dan ofal Yn ogystal a hyn i gyd, roedd Noa a’i Eglwysi cylch Y Bala a chylch Corwen, wraig yn crwydro’r Sioe drwy gydol a hyfryd a bendithiol iawn oedd cael y dydd yn rhannu cardiau oedd yn cydweithio ar draws yr enwadau i adrodd hanes Noa! sicrhau llwyddiant y babell. Yn sicr, cafwyd diwrnod llawn Thema’r babell eleni oedd Arch o hwyl, o fwrlwm ac o fendithion. Noa, gyda hanes Noa a’r dilyw yn Diolch i bawb a fu wrthi’n paratoi ac cael ei berfformio ar ffurf cynllyn Agor i’r holl wirfoddolwyr am eu cymorth y Llyfr bump o weithiau yn ystod y (adroddiad Parchedig Carwyn dydd. Cafwyd bwrdd crefftau i’r plant, Siddall).

A full house gathered for Mochdre’s Packed in for Sankey Sankey Service at the end of July, report Enid Morgan and Kath Wigley, Worship Leaders at All Saints Church. The singing was amazing and the afternoon was topped off by a delicious tea in Mochdre Old School. Sankey Services are named after Ira David Sankey, a Victorian preacher and hymn writer who introduced a peculiar style of popular hymns, still sung today. The tunes are invariably rousing with stirring words, easily sung and Sankey services showcasing these hymns are very popular here in Mid-Wales, with a large band of followers.

For more News, visit http://stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/news/teuluasaph/ More News teulu-asaph-extra-bits/ www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 13 Schools / Ysgolion

The Bishop’s Visitors

There are currently 51 Church What do they do? What sort of time commitment in Wales schools within this They get to know a school, both the staff is required? Diocese. As well as maintaining and pupils, and share the educational One visit per half term is the minimum the permanent education team journey with them. They offer advice, needed, with a focus for each visit and based in St Asaph, the Diocese support and encouragement to the staff, a short report to complete. This helps aims for every school to have leadership and governors, particularly keep the Education Team informed its own ‘Bishop’s Visitor’. The on how to foster and maintain a Church of the school’s progress. There is no Diocesan Schools Officer, School ethos, and to encourage the upper limit – many Bishop’s Visitors pupils to grow in wisdom and integrity. Simon Cameron explains the are regular visitors to their schools, joining them for lessons and collective role of a Bishop’s Visitor and Why are they needed? worship, especially at times of particular how you can get involved. Every one of our schools deserves celebration. What is a Bishop’s Visitor? the best support we can provide. The Bishop’s Visitors provide a regular I’m interested in becoming a Above all, they are a critical friend to the Diocesan presence in the school, a Bishop’s Visitor, what should school, someone who can accompany familiar and valued face for pupils and I do? the school and encourage them to be staff. They are an important channel of the best they can be. Their role is to communication between the school Contact the Education Team for a chat. express the Bishop’s pastoral concern and the Diocese, and a source of You can ring me, Simon Cameron, on for the staff and pupils in our Church support and encouragement for the 01745 532 594. schools. school, particularly the headteacher.

Who can become a Bishop’s Visitor? Knowledge and experience of the Find out more…. workings and running of a school is useful, but not absolutely essential – Visit the Bishop’s Visitor we offer full training and support. What pages at http://stasaph. is crucial is a deep empathy with the churchinwales.org.uk/life/ Christian faith and a willingness to help steering-groups/nurturing/ a school explore and celebrate the learning/schools-2/staff/ Gospel values in the experience they bishops-visitor-gallery/ offer their pupils.

14 | Teulu Asaph Resources / Adnoddau

Light Parties for Halloween

Halloween is now Its growth has been fuelled by To help your church know how the third highest the popularity of books and films to respond to Halloween, Scripture spending festival, such as Harry Potter and Twilight, Union has produced some inspired behind Christmas which feature witches, wizards and ideas for Light Parties that don’t and Easter, even vampires. But it is also the Christian involve lots of preparation. You can bigger than festival of All Hallows’ Eve and All find out more about Scripture Union’s Valentine’s Day Saints’ Day, which remembers the FREE Light Party Pack at www. in terms of what lives of those Christians who gave scriptureunion.org.uk/3534033.id we spend in the up everything for their faith in Jesus. shops. Most children know nothing of this.

Keeping hymn Cadw canu singing alive emynau’n fyw

Two new albums each featuring Mae dau albwm newydd sy’n organ accompaniments for 25 Welsh cynnwys cyfeiliant organ ar gyfer 25 o hymns has been launched by www. emynau Cymraeg wedi cael ei lansio hymncds.com, a site providing gan www.hymncds.com, safle gwe CD and MP3 accompaniments for sy’n darparu cyfeiliant emynau ar CD hymns. ac MP3. The albums cover the best of Welsh Mae’r ddau albwm yn cynnwys language hymns, with tunes that y goreuon o emyn donau appeal for users in any language. The Cymraeg, gyda thonau sy’n recordings feature Anghrediniaeth, apelio at ddefnyddwyr mewn gad fi’n llonydd to Yr Arglwydd a unrhyw iaith. Mae’r recordiadau’n feddwl amdanaf. There are no voices cynnwys amrywiaeth o donau o on these recordings, just a playover ‘Anghrediniaeth, gad fi’n llonydd’ i wybodaeth, yn and the accompaniment. You can ‘Yr Arglwydd a feddwl amdanaf’. Nid cynnwys rhestr lawn o’r traciau ar find out more information including a oes unrhyw leisiau ar y recordiadau http://www.hymncds.com/welsh. full track list at http://www.hymncds. hyn, dim ond y cyflwyniad i’r emyn html com/welsh.html dôn a’r cyfeiliant. Gallwch gael mwy o

Training for 2017

A comprehensive programme of training locally in your own MA on a training for 2017 is being distributed variety of topics, such as Working as throughout the diocese. The Training a team, How to get the best out of Prospectus features all the courses meetings, Developing new vocations which will take place at venues across and ministries and What is Theology the region. Among the highlights for for Life? 2017 is Bring IT to Church, Developing Look out for the 2017 Training Dementia Friendly Churches and Prospectus in your church or visit Introducing the Psalms. http://stasaph.churchinwales.org. In addition, the Training Forum will uk/life/steering-groups/training- be visiting each Mission Area (MA) to together-prospectus-2016/ for more help develop training plans to address information. particular needs as well as delivering www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 15 The Family who Came to Stay Are you looking for something different to add to your church celebrations this Christmas? Frances Ward, Churchwarden at Church, suggests trying Posada.

What is Posada? The Meifod Posada What it meant ‘Mary, Joseph, the donkey and the In our Meifod version we had three The travelling family became real sheep arrived at our house today, sets of knitted (unbreakable!) figures of people, both to adults and children, and were made very welcome by my Mary, Joseph, the donkey and sheep who quickly imagined them into real two grand-daughters. They played that travelled round the village on a situations. No longer part of a distant together, and Abigail and Mary planned roster – a set travelling round story they became ordinary people became great friends, while Eva the congregation, the others round to welcome and help. Georgia from looked after the donkey… I read the school families. The ‘pack’ included a Meifod School summed it up when Christmas story to them all… but notebook for the hosts to record the she wrote: ‘Having Mary, Joseph, the afterwards the sheep rushed all over family’s visit in words and pictures, donkey and the sheep to stay made the house…When the children and and a copy of the Nativity story. me feel really special because it felt the animals were finally asleep, Mary like I was the helpful inn keeper…’ and Joseph ate with us, watched television and slept here, before How to do it yourself travelling on the next day.’ We knitted our figures (see Amazon for books of knitting patterns) and ‘Posada’ means ‘lodging’ and we bought extra sheep – but you Las Posadas is a mainly Mexican can use any figures that are sturdy celebration where people dress as enough to withstand occasional Joseph and Mary – or carry images – rough use. You need a bag or box and travel to local houses designated to put each set in, and a roster to as ‘inns’. When the Holy Family map out the family’s journey. Further is recognised they are let in, and details from Frances Ward: frances. everyone eats and prays together. [email protected]. The Posada Diaries The family turned out to be ideal guests, willing to join in family activities. When staying with members of the congregation, Mary did confess to feeling tired, and on occasion had a restorative glass of wine while she advised on tree decorating.

When staying with the school families she enjoyed being introduced to pets, toys and farm animals. She went with Joshua in the car to collect logs, watched Harriet at swimming practice, and loved Chloe’s light-up snowman.