Part time Priest in Tanat Valley Mission Area Application Pack: November 2019 The Diocese of St Asaph 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. Application Pack: Tanat Valley, November 2019 2 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 prayerful heart at the centre of every community • A commitment to walk alongside those in need The Mission Area The churches in the Tanat Valley and the Vyrnwy Mission Area are currently merging into a larger Mission Area that will bear both names. Tanat Valley Tanat is one of the loveliest valleys in the Welsh Borders. It was here that the Bible was translated into Welsh long before the King James version appeared. Here Owain Glyndwr’s church was burnt to the ground in reprisal for his rebellion; here lead was mined, a railway built and Llansilin’s population reached 4,000. Today it is fewer than 700, the mines and railway are long gone; the dispersed population is sustained by agriculture and a modest tourist trade. There are six principal villages and the largest, Llanrhaeadr, has a school, several shops, a GP surgery, a dentist and even its own theatre. But many rural problems exist, poor local services and lack of employment in particular. And while the young drift away many people choose to retire here. However, the same families have lived here for generations and there is a strong sense of local identity with a great community spirit. Traditionally a chapel area where Welsh is widely spoken, the valley nevertheless has four full- time churches, one in each of the principal villages, and three pilgrim churches. Additionally there is a church school in Llangedwyn. Several of the churches have a long history of working together and despite the financial concerns that afflict all rural churches there is a determination everywhere to serve God in the future as we have since the age of saints. Application Pack: Tanat Valley, November 2019 3 The mission area, created in 2017, was self-evidently too small to be effective and will now merge with the Vyrnwy mission area which with a combined population of 7,000 will remain the smallest but geographically one of the largest mission areas. Vyrnwy The Vyrnwy Mission Area includes the communities of Llwydiarth, Llanfihangel yng Nghwynfa, Llanwddyn, Llanfyllin, BwIch-y-Cibau, Llanfechain, and Llansantffraid ym Mechain. It’s an area of stunning environmental beauty, where the number of sheep (and at certain times of year, pheasants also) are in competition to outnumber the people who live in or visit the area! Farming, game-keeping, forestry, land management, light industry, community initiatives, charitable organisations, and commerce are all found in the area, alongside the schools in Llanfyllin (County Primary and High), Llanfechain (Church in Wales Primary), and Llansantffraid (Church in Wales Primary). In addition, it’s an area of rich artistic, musical, and creative expression and exploration, with a deep spiritual (Christian and other) history. A good proportion of people from the different communities know each other well, having been educated, worked, and worshipped alongside each other for many years; yet there are also 'newer members' of the communities, giving a fuller expression of the multi- faceted world in which we now live. This enables a warmth and openness which is highly valued as we continue to grow and develop as the Mission Area. The Role We are seeking a part-time colleague to work co-operatively with the Mission Area Leader, clergy colleagues, licensed Readers, Wardens, Church Committees, Worship Leaders, and MAC members to nurture spiritual and numeric growth in the Tanat Valley churches. These include: St Thomas, Pen-y-Bont Fawr - a large Victorian church built in more prosperous times. Recently threatened with closure it has seen a remarkable initiative by local people to maintain it; a Application Pack: Tanat Valley, November 2019 4 business plan has been produced and this will be reviewed by the diocese. Regular services are still held and Rev Peter Heaney lives in the village. St Dogfan’s, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant - a large Grade 2 listed church, at the centre of the village. Although there are some Celtic remains the present building dates from the 13th century, but it was much altered by Victorian restoration. Here William Morgan translated the Bible into Welsh in 1588. A modern vicarage adjoins the churchyard. St Cedwyn’s, Llangedwyn - a medieval foundation but was completely rebuilt in the Victorian era by the Williams-Wynn family of Llangedwyn Hall who are commemorated there. It is a small but charming church closely linked with the village primary school, which is a church school, and it enjoys strong local support. St Silin’s.Llansilin - a particularly beautiful Grade 1 listed church built in 1405 to replace the earlier one destroyed by Prince Henry (later Henry V). The churchyard contains several ancient yews, at least 1,000 years old, and is the resting place of Huw Morus, Eos Ceiriog, one of Wales’ most celebrated poets. In 2006 a parish room was added which is used by the local community and for some winter services. A local support group, the Friends of Llansilin Church, raises funds to preserve the fabric. Pilgrim churches St Cynog’s, Llangynog is a small single-cell church that was built in 1791 and then completely rebuilt in 1894. The village lies at the top of the valley and is popular with walkers. It was always a stopping-point on the pilgrimage way to Pennant Melangell. St Garmon’s, Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr is another single cell church of medieval origin but Victorian rebuild. A pretty church in a remote location it is well-cared-for and enjoys a steady trickle of visitors in an area popular for walking. Its six services are well-supported. Considering pilgrim status St Cadwaladr’s, Llangadwaladr is another victim of Victorian restoration. A tiny single-cell church, set in a fold of a remote and beautiful hillside, it possesses an extraordinary spirituality and enjoys enormous support. Extra seating often needs to be brought in for its six services which invariably involve local children. Application Pack: Tanat Valley, November 2019 5 Who are we looking for? We are looking for someone who has: • experience of ministering in a rural context; • good interpersonal skills; • the ability to communicate effectively; • a pastoral heart; • a sense of humour; • the capacity to work as part of a team. • whose enthusiasm recognizes and encourages the gifts and skills in others; • who will enjoy living in our rural communities; • who will encourage growth in numbers and spirituality to each of the churches; • who can enhance our interdenominational links; • who will develop strong community links joining in joyfully with our many events. The ability to speak Welsh, or at least show a willingness to learn, would be advantageous. Broad responsibilities Working closely with the lay and ordained leaders in Tanat Valley, you will seek to: • Nurture God’s people in their discipleship and personal relationship with the Lord. • Through word and deed proclaim the gospel of God’s grace and the good news of Jesus to those who haven’t yet responded and encourage others to do likewise, providing a positive witness to the community.