www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com./PoblDewi Mawrth/March 2012 Dealing with differences Governing Body to vote on the Anglican Covenant OMETIMES single events can bring to a crisis tensions the Episcopal Church in the USA which have been simmering for a long time. (TEC) said effectively that they For the Anglican Church worldwide that event were not bound by the advice of S the Bishops of the Communion. happened on 5th August 2003 when the General Convention The Archbishop of Canterbury of the Episcopal Church of the USA gave formal consent to the warned that Robinson’s election election of Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. ‘will inevitably have a significant The reason this sent shock waves around the world was that Gene impact on the Anglican Commun- Robinson was a previously-married and now-divorced man, who since ion throughout the world’. But 1988 had been cohabiting with his male partner (they entered a civil TEC did not feel bound to notice union with one another in 2008). Rowan Williams’ warning, either. So, what do TEC feel bound Bishop Robinson’s election The debate started in 1998 by? What is any Anglican bound prompted a decade of delibera- when the worldwide gathering by? These were the long-simmering tion which resulted in a document of Bishops from the Anglican questions which Gene Robinson’s known as the Anglican Covenant. Communion (the Lambeth Confer- election brought into focus. In April this year the Govern- ence) discussed human sexuality No-one ever planned a world- © ACNS ing Body of the Church in Wales is and passed, with strong support, a wide Anglican Communion. By Pictured from left: The Very Revd Christopher Nicholas Lynden being asked to approve the Cove- statement which said that the Bish- emigration and through mission- nant as a sign of the value which ops ‘cannot advise the legitimising ary endeavour a family of churches Potter, Mrs Helen Biggin, Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most the Church in Wales places on the or blessing of same sex unions nor has grown up around the world, Revd Dr Barry Cennydd Morgan, The Rt Revd Gregory Cameron fellowship we enjoy with Angli- ordaining those involved in same all governed by bishops, having cans around the world. gender unions’. In August 2003 more-or-less similar liturgy, and and ethics, others a conservative Gene Robinson’s election was a all in fellowship with the Arch- approach. The family is bound necessary progressive step towards bishop of Canterbury. But the together by nothing stronger than the goal of a church which is truly family resemblance is sometimes ‘bonds of affection’ – no individual inclusive. For others it was an act hard to spot. Some are Catholic in or body has the authority to decide of flagrant disobedience to the theology, others Evangelical. Some matters of doctrine or practice. take a liberal position on doctrine For some in this diverse family, continued on page 3 Turning visitors into pilgrims HE newly-restored Shrine of TSt David was dedicated by Bishop Wyn on St David’s Day. The shrine honours five saints with close connections to Bishop Wyn with Deputy Chief Constable Jackie Roberts and the cathedral: St David himself Revd Nick Finlay, Force Chaplain (pictured left), his mother St Non ISHOP Wyn is helping police with their inquiries . into a shortage (right), St Andrew, St Justinian and Bof Anglican police chaplains in the diocese. On a visit to Dyfed Powys St Patrick. police HQ in February, Deputy Chief Constable, Jackie Roberts, and Force The icons were created by Chaplain Revd Nick Finlay (Swansea & Brecon), identified a number of local artist Sarah Crisp as part of a gaps in key areas, notably in the Cardigan and St Davids archdeaconries. £100,000 project organised by the Now senior diocesan staff are to investigate ways of plugging the gaps. Friends of St Davids Cathedral. “Our chaplains provide invaluable support to officers across the force”, A full feature article about DCC Roberts told Pobl Dewi. “And while it is important that this is an the shrine will appear in the July ecumenical exercise, we need to try and keep a balance between the edition of Pobl Dewi. different denominations in order to cater for everyone’s needs.” Focus on the Olympics – Pages 8 & 9 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, March 2012 What if the Church could pool Together, we can its buying power . rule out now that is a bright idea! abuse UYING together sounds great purchases independently and don’t price, the supplier will check you to the best charity pricing for An estimated 39,000 Bin theory but how do we start? benefi t from our overall combined are not overpaying VAT or Climate Microsoft, Adobe and others. Also older people in Wales are Now the national church, in part- purchasing power. Change Levy. You can also buy specialist accounting and Gift Aid experiencing abuse in their nership with dioceses has launched The Parish Buying service is “green” for less than you may think. software. own homes. Rhea Stevens a new service to help you. The changing this by bringing these • Heating Oil – offering a • Fire Safety – a range of invites congregations in Wales Parish Buying service aims to spends together and negotiating guaranteed level of service, high products including Ecclesiastical to sign up to Age Cymru’s Rule take the stress out of buying many favourable deals from approved priority delivery, and transparent approved 10 year fi re extinguish- Out Abuse campaign of the key products and services suppliers. daily pricing. ers which do not require annual that churches use by offering you • Photocopiers – offering a maintenance. VERYONE should have the tips, advice and national contracts National contracts range of devices, with carefully Parish Buying does not only Eright to a life free from abuse, to help you buy with confi dence, This new service has been devel- vetted contracts and very compet- offer national contracts. The where dignity, respect and safety saving time and money. oped by two National Procurement itive click charges covering all website includes a range of buying are part of the natural fabric of From the energy needed to Offi cers, Robert Kissick and consumables (except paper). guides with helpful tips and advice society. heat and light the church through Russell Stables, working with the • Stationery – free next day to help parishes buy more effec- Unfortunately this is not the to paper for the service sheets Church in Wales and the Church delivery with no minimum order. tively across a range of areas. case and Age Cymru estimates that the Anglican Church, in the UK, of England. The national contracts Demonstrated average savings of This service aims to support 39,000 older people in Wales are spends about £200 million each include: up to 35% when compared with you in your stewardship, releas- experiencing abuse in their own year on these kinds of operational • Electricity and Gas – as well standard catalogue pricing. ing resource for your mission and homes. costs. Parishes usually make these as scanning the market for best • IT Software – giving access ministry! To fi nd out more register at www.parishbuying.org.uk; email the procurement team at procur [email protected]; or telephone: 0800 368 0887. Birmingham. These large English fi rms continued to dominate Stained glass in our churches production well into the twentieth Often little is known of the artists or studios that created the stained glass in our churches. An online century, although some of the best artists of the arts and crafts move- resource attempts to remedy this It’s saddening to consider the ment have work in the diocese, total number of suspected adult notably Karl Parsons, who has two TAINED glass is part of the abuse cases reported to the authori- windows at St Mary’s, Tenby, Mary visual vocabulary of many of ties in 2009-2010 was just 4,913. S Lowndes, who has windows in our churches, and a pictorial mani- Clearly, there is much more that churches at Spittal and Aberaeron, festation of the church’s faith and we should and can do to protect and the Irish artist Wilhelmina tradition. Yet often little is known older people from abuse, and Age Geddes, whose last great work may of the artists or studios that made Cymru is asking congregations be found in Lampeter. them, and sometimes the meaning across Wales to help. of the windows is unclear to those Welsh artists There is no clear statutory duty that worship in their midst today. After the Second World War, Welsh on local authorities to investigate The Stained Glass in Wales artists and fi rms began to produce cases of abuse or potential abuse Project, based at the University of windows for churches in Wales. that are reported to them. Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh Swansea’s Celtic Studios produced We feel more focussed laws, and Celtic Studies, has been an many windows across south Wales, along with strengthened guidance, attempt to help remedy this by and some good examples of more training for staff, increased public providing an online searchable modern work by Welsh artists can awareness and access to advo- catalogue of stained glass in Wales. be found in the diocese, such as cacy services would ensure adult The project was initiated by the John Petts’ windows in Fishguard, protection is given the priority it artist and photographer Martin Carmarthen and Llansteffan, and deserves. Crampin, and nearly 6,000 photo- Frank Roper’s series of windows Age Cymru has developed the graphs of over 2,000 windows are at Talbenny.