Diocese of St Asaph Mission Area of Bryn a Môr

Home , Basingwerk Abbey, Gronant, Gwaenysgor, Gwespyr, Llanasa, Penyffordd

Mission Area Leader and Priest rooted in the communities of Llanasa, Ffynnongroyw, Gronant and Trelawnyd

Application Pack :: September 2019

In the Diocese of St Asaph or Teulu Asaph, we’re

• Growing and encouraging the whole people of God • Enlivening and enriching worship • Engaging the world

We’re a family of more than 7,000 regular worshippers, with 80 full time clergy, over 500 lay leaders, 216 churches and 51 church schools.

We trace our history to the days of our namesake, St Asaph and his mentor, St Kentigern who it’s believed built a monastery in St Asaph in AD 560. Many of the churches across the Diocese were founded by the earliest saints in Wales who witnessed to Christian faith in Wales and have flourished through centuries of war, upheaval, reformation and reorganisation.

Today, the Diocese of St Asaph carries forward that same Mission to share God’s love to all in 21th Century north east and mid Wales. We’re honoured to be a Christian presence in every community, to walk with people on the journey of life and to offer prayers to mark together the milestones of life.

Unlocking our Potential is the focus of our response to share God’s love with people across north east and mid Wales. Unlocking our Potential is about bringing change, while remaining faithful to the life-giving message of Jesus. It’s about challenging, inspiring and equipping the whole people of God to grow in their faith.

Geographically, the Diocese follows the English/Welsh border in the east, whilst the western edge is delineated by the Conwy Valley. The northern boundary runs along the North Wales coast as far as Llandudno, but only takes in part of that town. The southern boundary runs from the lower end of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) across to Dolfor, just south of Newtown in Powys. Ecclesiastically it is bordered by the dioceses of Chester, Lichfield and Hereford on the northern and eastern sides. To the south we border Swansea and Brecon diocese and to the west, Bangor.

Large parts of the diocese are rural, but there are important and continually developing industrial and commercial areas around Deeside (one of the largest industrial parks in Europe) and Wrexham and significant developments along the two main arterial roads (A55 and A483). The coastal strip is home to traditional holiday resorts and tourism is an important industry in many parts of the diocese.

St Asaph offers:

• A welcome to all • Life enhancing opportunities for all • A commitment to nurture God’s gifts to everyone • A Christian education through our 51 Church Schools • A celebration and conservation of our very special places • A commitment to walk alongside those in need • A prayerful heart at the centre of every community

2 A Profile of Bryn a Môr Mission Area

Bryn a Môr Mission Area was formally commissioned in July 2017 by Bishop Gregory and was formed from the Area Deanery of St Asaph. It covers an area from Dyserth to Ffynnongroyw, and from Trelawnyd to Prestatyn, so part of the coastal strip but also rural hinterland of the diocese.

The churches that make up the Mission area are:

St Bridget’s, Dyserth St Michael and All Angels, Trelawnyd St Melyd’s, Meliden St Mary Magdalene, Gwaenysgor Christ Church, Prestatyn Church of the Holy Spirit, Prestatyn Ss Asaph & Cyndeyrn, Llanasa All Saints, Ffynnongroyw Ss Mael & Sulien, Cwm a Pilgrim church under the care of the Mission Area.

The Mission Area Conference consists of representatives from each church and is the group that thinks through the vision statement and works through the strategy for the Mission area. We have an administrator who keeps everything running as smoothly as possible, 2 clergy, wardens, worship leaders, 2 readers, retired readers and clergy and someone who will be the MA treasurer after he has done the training and we are currently up to date with our share. The clergy meet (usually) once a week to pray & converse together and we would expect the new appointees to join in with that time.

On the 5th Sundays in the year we have joint services in the afternoon/evening going around the different churches to share in worship specific to that church. We have a spectrum of worship, from Anglo Catholic to more contemporary traditions in this mission area and have had services in the style of Taizé and during the autumn there will be Taizé services in Cwm, led by a team of people. There is 1 C in W primary school in the MA, several other primary schools and 1 secondary school that are very welcoming to the clergy and lay people who go in to take Collective worship. Messy Church and Open the Book both happen in the MA, and there are hopes to make these MA wide.

We are on a learning journey to see what it means to become a group of Christians who are ‘‘Worshipping & working together as visible followers of Christ to love our diverse communities’ MA Vision statement 2017 and we look forward to welcoming 2 new colleagues to our communities.

OUR NEW MISSION AREA LEADER AND PRIEST:

We are praying for a priest who is a person of prayer, who will provide clear leadership for our Mission Area and develop our gifts and talents. In return we are all committed to the mission and growth of the Church.

We hope you will:

1. Love us and our communities and encourage our spiritual growth. 2. Seek to develop the gifts, talents and skills of our congregations, by encouraging and strengthening us in our lay ministry and practical challenges. 3. Make space for the exercise of spiritual gifts and support and develop our prayer life, both ………personal and corporate. 4. Help us to further strengthen our ties with schools and encourage family worship. 5. Lead us in making disciples for Christ and inspiring church members into a deeper relationship with Him. 6. Love those on the fringes of the church. 7. Have a desire to work with us in mission. 8. Have a passion for outreach and seek opportunities to share the Gospel through daily life and ……...build relationships within our communities. 9. Work to make worship accessible and welcoming to newcomers. 3 The Church of St Michael and All Angels Trelawnyd

TRELAWNYD VILLAGE:

Trelawnyd (formerly Newmarket from 1710 to 1954) is a village in Flintshire, Wales.

It is one of Flintshire's ancient parishes, originally part of Dyserth parish and is on the route to Bardsey Island.

It became a separate parish between 1254 and 1291, and included the townships of Gop, Graig, Pentreffyddion and Rhydlyfnwyd.

The village was renamed Newmarket in 1710 by John Wynne who obtained a faculty from the Bishops Registry.

Wynne had by then redeveloped much of the village, established several industries, a weekly market, and an annual fair, to turn Newmarket into the area's market town.

The plan failed as nearby Rhyl developed into the larger market town. The village was officially renamed Trelawnyd, meaning "Town full of wheat" in Welsh, in 1954. It has a very successful Male Voice Choir that practices in the Village Hall in which many community activities are held.

ST MICHAELS AND ALL ANGELS:

“A hidden gem” – St Michael and all Angels is set back from the main road which passes through the village on Cwm Road.

The Parish of Trelawnyd appears to have been formed in the latter half of the 13th century. It originally formed a part of the Parish of Dyserth and the first reference to it is found in the Lincoln Taxation of 1291, where it is referred to as “Ecclesia de Deyserth, cum capella sua de rywlyfnwyd.” Interestingly, the Parish of Trelawnyd, originally a chapelry or daughter church of Dyserth, and becoming a Parish in the early 1800’s, has since mid 1970’s been grouped once again with that Parish.

4 St Michael and All Angels is small, only 55' long and 19' broad. In 1724 the church was rebuilt and put in good repair. This date is recorded on the exterior of the east wall above the window. Above this stone is another date, probably 1862 or 63, and recording the next occasion it was found necessary to repair the church.

On this occasion the roof was reslated with Bangor slate, two coats of plaster were laid on, and repair work undertaken. The next major restoration took place in 1895-97 under the direction of the Chester architect John Douglas who built and restored many churches in North Wales and Cheshire.

Under his direction, plaster was removed from the walls, the stones pointed, the chancel laid with encaustic tiles, and the old roof cleaned and varnished. It was during this restoration that the gallery was removed, and a new east window installed. In 1983 the next restoration was carried out - at this time the roof was reslated.

The vestry was built outside the north door of the Church in memory of those who died in the first World War. It was dedicated on 14th April, 1918, by the Bishop of St. Asaph, The Right Reverend Alfred George Edwards

Since then other work has been done - the church has been rewired and the west wall, bellcote and the porch have been repointed. The stained-glass windows have been provided with new window guards.

We are praying for a priest who:

• Is prepared to work with our committed congregations, to reinvigorate the churches and build on our firm foundations of faith • Values the contributions of members of the congregations and seeks to develop their talents • Provides clear leadership in mission and evangelism • Connects with the local community and leads people into the family of the Churches and the Churches to the people • Will be a pastor, spiritual director, teacher and friend

For ourselves: We seek to live each day to the greater glory of God and in service to our fellow human beings. For others: We seek to bring enquirers through faith to the foot of the cross.

5 OUR VALUES:

The following are core values by which we seek to serve Our Lord: a) above all, we seek to be a welcoming church with a love of people of all backgrounds and circumstance. b) we have a strong commitment to sharing the faith with others c) we enhance our Eucharistic worship, which seeks to meet the needs of all d) we desire on-going opportunities for people to develop their spirituality through prayer and study e) we encourage others to be ministers of the Good News. f) we desire leadership that values the gifts and experience of the people of St Michael’s.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE 2018:

Electoral Roll 22 Average Sunday Attendance 17 Christmas 47 Easter 22 No. of Baptisms 0 No. of Weddings 2 No. of Confirmations 0 No. of Funerals (not incl. crem) 3

WORSHIP:

Our focus is our Sunday Eucharist and our usual pattern of services is:

1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays of the month at 11.15 a.m. – Eucharist

Every 4th Sunday of the month - said Evensong. 5TH Sunday Group Services as announced.

Other services are announced prior to the event.

We have a willing team of readers, intercessors and sides persons.

CYTÛN:

Cytûn, which in Welsh means together, is the name for a group of people from the Churches and the Chapels in the villages, who meet to arrange joint services at various time during the year and events to help raise the profile of the Christian community in Trelawnyd.

FELLOWSHIP:

Our congregations include people of a range of ages, St Michael’s has a reputation for putting on a “good spread” for social events and for special services such as our Patronal Festival.

The several care homes in the areas are also welcoming, although we no longer have regular contact with them and would hope to restore it.

We also enjoy good relationships and fellowship with other churches of the Mission Area, and our clergy and people have always supported festivals and special occasions in our Mission area and sister churches.

You will be supported by clergy in the Mission Area, diocese and beyond. 6

TRELAWNYD V.A. SCHOOL:

YSGOL WIRFODDOL TRELAWNYD

School Mission Statement – “Working together in God’s Family”.

“Gweithio gyda’n gilydd yn nheua Duw”.

Recognising its historical foundation, the school preserves and develops its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church in Wales and in partnership with the Church at Diocesan level. The school aims to serve the community by providing an education of quality within the context of Christian belief and practise. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.

The school is set in a beautiful location below Gop Hill in Trelawnyd and commands views over the local countryside. The Victorian buildings have been preserved, whilst remodelling and a sympathetic extension provides an attractive and practical space for learning.

The school holds an important place within the local community and has a strong link with the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. Pupils attend the school from a wide catchment area. Many parents, who wish a Church school education for their children, opt to send them to Ysgol Trelawnyd. The school is affiliated to the Diocese of St. Asaph and the focus of Religious Education is Anglican, however all classes study other world cultures and religions.

IN SUMMARY:

We are praying for a priest who will:

• be a cleric of prayer whose spiritual life centres on the Eucharist

• have a passion for evangelism

• be an effective leader, with strong personal motivation and drive

• be an inspiring preacher, teacher and spiritual director

• have secure liturgical understanding, and commitment to developing occasional services to complement the Eucharist

• be ready to play a key role in the local community

• have an empathy for the Welsh culture and a sensitivity towards the language

7 The Church of Ss Asaph and Cyndeyrn, Llanasa

Llanasa church covers the villages of Llanasa, Trelogan, Gronant, Gwespyr, Axton, Glan-yr-Afon and part of Picton.

Worship is held in Llanasa church and the Family Centre in Gronant.

The church has a dual dedication to Ss Asaph & Cyndeyrn (Kentigen or St Mungo in Scotland).

The ancient Christian beginnings of Llanasa date from between 560 & 573. This is an early double naved church, it is a Grade 2* listed building and is located, along with the village, in a designated Conservation Area. The Church attracts pilgrims and visitors to the area. It is part of the Flintshire Sacred Doorways project and is also on the route of the North Wales Pilgrims’ Way.

The church has a large car park in its ownership which has easy access through the Lych Gate, to a stone path for wheelchairs and prams to the Porch. Headstones have been laid flat and the graveyard levelled with only a few remaining. There are some early table tombs. The Churchyard is mainly laid to grass with trees and planting. The church yard is closed to new graves and memorial stones, but an area has been left for the internment of loose ashes, and entries can be made in a memorial book kept in the church.

Across the road from the church is the cemetery, which is still open for burials, with only a few plots left.

The last quinquennial report in 2016, states that the church is very well maintained and in good condition. All recommended repairs have been done except the rainwater goods which need repairing and re-painting.

There is a sound loop system in the Church for the benefit of congregation members using deaf aids, with clip-on and free-standing microphones.

8 Furnishings in oak include altar, rails, pulpit, eagle lectern and choir stalls. There is also a warden’s chest, carved chair and carved stone font. Pews are of pitch pine. The organ is a freestanding instrument and in good repair.

The east stained-glass windows are thought to be originally from Basingwerk Abbey, and the most recent west windows have been dedicated to the memory of a former parishioner. Glass doors have been erected on the porch.

A social area has been created at the back of the church by removing pews, where fellowship is shared and refreshments are served after services. This space is also equipped with suitable books and toys for young children to use while attending services with family and friends. There are helpers from the congregation on hand to direct the youngsters and parents, showing them what is available and to assist with the care of the children if they so wish.

Bilingual service booklets are used for the Holy Eucharist service with a small proportion of our congregation being Welsh Speakers. No services are held entirely in Welsh.

PEOPLE, ORGANISATIONS AND ACTIVITES:

The congregation has an older demographic, but we are keen to look at ways to involve and engage with younger families.

Our church is signed up on the registers for Inclusive Church and as a Fair-Trade Church.

The social time after the service is used to plan and organise social and fundraising events for the Church.

The congregation work well together. The church is open daily, cleaning is done in pairs on a weekly basis. The Flower arrangements are likewise provided and created by a rota.

We are fortunate to have our own organists. There is a team of sides’ persons, a rota of readers and people who prepare their own intercessions. We have two worship leaders who have been leading morning prayer and evening prayer, in order that the vicar could spend time getting to know the people in Ffynnongroyw as well as those in Llanasa & Gronant.

There is an active Mothers’ Union group of 15 members who meet monthly in the Village Hall. At the local level the aim is to provide members with a friendly and supportive environment. Activities range from visiting speakers, social evenings, summer and Christmas outings, coffee mornings and fundraising events. We aim to demonstrate our faith in action through helping communities both local and worldwide. We help support the MU “Away from it all” holidays, and MU charities overseas.

Messy church was started in summer 2016. It is held once during each school holiday. 9 GRONANT:

The Gronant congregation is very small but faithful, meeting at the Rural North Family Centre since the closure of St Winifred’s Church building.

The Rural North Family Centre in Gronant is attached to the school. It is run by a Management Committee made up by representatives from the villages and the church has been represented on the committee by the Vicar. Since Gronant has the largest village population there is the potential for growth in the church.

CHURCH WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY:

Llanasa village has won the “Best kept community in Flintshire with a population under 1000” on numerous occasions. We work closely with the other organisations in the village, holding open gardens, scarecrow festivals, and car boot sales regularly.

The Village Hall is managed by a committee which includes representatives from the church. With no church hall of our own we hold a key to the building which is situated directly across the road from the church and are able to use its facilities. Llanasa’s Mothers’ Union meet monthly at the village hall.

The Conservation Society can be joined by anyone living in the area, and they tend and protect the public areas in the village, including the memorial garden next to the church and the cemetery opposite the church.

SCHOOLS:

There are three Primary Schools in the area, Ysgol Gronant, Ysgol Trelogan (the Point of Ayr Federation) and Ysgol Gymraeg Mornant in Picton, the local Welsh medium school.

The Vicar has been on the board of governors for the Point of Ayr federation and has been welcome in all the schools.

The three schools join together for a Harvest service, in which they all take part.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE 2018

Electoral roll 30 Average Sunday Attendance 25 Christmas 40 Easter communicants 31 No. of Baptisms 7 No. of Funerals 13 No. of Marriages 3

10 The Church of All Saints, Ffynnongroyw

The church covers the villages of Ffynnongroyw, Penyffordd, parts of Picton, Talacre, Tanlan and Tyn y Morfa.

THE CHURCH:

The church is dedicated to All Saints and situated on Main Road, Ffynnongroyw, in the centre of the village. The Wales Coastal Path runs through the village and past the church.

In the mid-19th century Ffynnongroyw was a thriving hamlet in the ancient parish of Llanasa and the need for a church was felt. In 1854 the Bishop of St Asaph purchased a field in the village for the purpose of building a church, but it was not until 1881 that the building began, funded by the gifts of local people and businesses.

The foundation stone for All Saints Church was laid on 8th November 1881 (hence the dedication) and the church was opened less than a year later, on 8th August 1882, with services in English and Welsh. A separate parish was formed the following year and the church was consecrated on 15th July 1883.

It is a Grade II listed building with architectural and historical interest as the last work of prominent Victorian architect George Edmund Street.

In addition to the church itself, the site contains a church-hall and a substantial amount of land. There is no graveyard.

11 The church interior layout is traditional. There is a nave and two side aisles, a chancel with choir stalls and a sanctuary. The organ is a substantial instrument in good condition.

There is stained glass in the East window, four windows in the South aisle and one window in the North aisle, given at times from 1889 through to the 1950s in memory of various priests and parishioners.

The last quinquennial inspection report was made in 2016. The church is generally in good condition. Some work was recommended which it is intended should be incorporated into a planned re-ordering of the church and site.

As a shorter-term project, we intend to remove the choir vestry at the west end of the church to create more space to serve refreshments after services.

PEOPLE, ORGANISATIONS AND ACTIVITIES:

The congregation has an older demographic, but we are keen to look at ways to involve and engage with younger families.

Our church is signed up as a Fair-Trade Church.

There is currently no regular organist, the music for Sunday services being supplied by an electronic gizmo. There is an organist who can be called on for special services such as weddings and funerals.

CHURCH WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY:

The church is important to people in Ffynnongroyw, even though most do not attend Sunday services. It is open daily and is used for quiet contemplation and visited by people walking the coastal path.

Events such as Dressing of the Cross, and Remembrance Services, have been well attended.

We hold Community Coffee Mornings in the Canolfan Ffynnongroyw.

The church hall is used weekly for dog training classes.

The church is continuing to run events with a wider appeal for fundraising.

SCHOOLS:

There is one primary school in the area, Ysgol Bryn Garth, an English-medium school in Penyffordd and there are links with Ysgol Mornant, the local Welsh-medium primary school, which began life in the village of Ffynnongroyw.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE 2018:

Electoral roll 19 Average Sunday Attendance 10 Christmas 13 Easter communicants 17 No. of Baptisms 0 No. of Marriages 0 No. of Confirmations 0 No. of Funerals 0 12 SERVICES:

Ffynnongroyw 1st and 3rd Sunday – Holy Eucharist 9.30 am 2nd and 4th Sunday – Morning Prayer 9.30 am Llanasa 2nd and 4th Sunday – Holy Eucharist 11.00 am 1st and 3rd Sunday – Morning Prayer 11.00 am Gronant 1st and 3rd Sunday – Holy Eucharist 4.00 pm 2nd and 4th Sunday – Evening Prayer 4.00 pm

Joint Services

There are joint services on the 5th Sunday of the month.

Other services.

Mid-week Eucharists are held and services are provided on special days such as Holy Week, Ascension Day, and for Christmas carols.

COMMUNICATION:

A Church Magazine is published monthly which gives news from the area and details of past and forthcoming events. We have a Website, Facebook page and Twitter account.

Pilgrim Church of Saints Mael and Sulien, Cwm

Cwm is one of the ancient parishes of Flintshire, comprising the two townships of Uwchllan and Isllan. The boundaries of the parish remained untouched during the Victorian era. The church dates from the fourteenth century, or earlier; although it was rebuilt about 1500.

There were restorations in 1881 and 1901. The church is built on a hillside, and the floor is in three levels.

Ss Mael and Sulien became a Pilgrim Church on 29th July 2018.

THE VICARAGE:

The Vicarage is a modern detached house, on Llanasa Road in Gronant. The front is paved for parking, and there is a back garden with views to the rear of the property overlooking the sea. There are 3 good sized bedrooms, a box room and a study. There is oil central heating, and it is double glazed throughout. There are solar panels on the roof. There is also an office in the basement and has its own independent access.

DESIRABLE QUALITIES FOR OUR VICAR:

• Energetic and enthusiastic with a sense of humour and fun. • Family orientated with an ability to relate to all ages. • Someone who values the centrality of the Eucharist and who will maintain our existing worship, whilst helping us to innovate and explore a greater breadth of worship with modern ideas and technology. • Good leadership qualities. • The ability to speak Welsh, or a willingness to learn. • Has an interest in finance and/or skills in fundraising.

GROWTH AND OUTREACH:

Our Churches have been through a period of positive change during the last few years becoming more spiritual and welcoming. We would wish to build on this.

We would like to engage with and increase the involvement of younger people in the life of the church, including extra services, being creative with the use of liturgy and preaching.

We aim to maintain and develop our links with local schools, groups, and the wider community.

We aim to work within the Bryn a Môr Mission Area to develop a group of churches who are united.

We seek someone who has the inspiration and energy to work with us to achieve our aims.