FREE AM DDIM TEULU ASAPH Esgobaeth Llanelwy of Awst/Medi August/September 2016

Deanery of St. Asaph Estuary & Mo untain

Abe Rhos

rco

Deanery of rlands nwy Mold

Re-drawing the dioceseBorde Dyffryn Clwyd Alyn

m a Mission Area shaped St AsaphWrexh

Offa Deanery of Penllyn & Edeyrnion

Ail-lunio’rTanat esgobaeth Ffurf ArdalVyrnwy Genhadaeth Llanelwy

Deanery of Caereinion Pool

Also inside: Cedewain Hefyd y tu mewn: The first LGBT chaplaincy Y gaplaniaeth LHDT gyntaf God in the trees Duw yn y goedwig Note from the editor

Welcome to your new look Teulu some of the questions that are being Asaph! raised about how Mission Areas will operate – and I hope that this I hope that the changes to the look will be the beginning of a regular of the magazine will make it easier question and answer feature about for you to navigate your way round it. Mission Areas. Please send me your I’m Karen Maurice, and I edit Teulu questions to get the ball rolling. Asaph - I’d be very interested to hear your views about the magazine. However, Teulu Asaph is not just about the big changes or issues, comments, questions, suggestions, There’s a lot going on in the diocese but is also a way of communicating articles and photographs! at the moment with 2020 Vision, what we’re doing in our churches the move to Mission Areas and and communities – a chance to encouraging Shared Ministry. Teulu share new ideas, unusual events or Asaph is the ideal way to keep you different opportunities. up to date with what’s happening. I hope you enjoy this issue, and [email protected] In this issue there are answers to I look forward to getting your 07918 133420 4 In this issue 3 A week is a long time in politics 4 Re-drawing the map – how Mission Areas are shaping up 6 Having a heart for the homeless 7 News / Newyddion 11 8 Encouraging everyone to discover their Ministry 10 A church for all

11 God in the forest 14 12 The gift of education 13 Schools / Ysgolion

13 Resources / Adnoddau

14 Your News/Eich Newyddion chi

16 16 Pedal Power for Blind Veterans UK

© 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 October/November edition is September, 5. Please send copy and high quality images to [email protected] for inclusion. While we welcome all contributions, unfortunately we are not able to print everything.

2 | Teulu Asaph A week is a long time in politics

At the end of June, we had a whatever their racial or ethnic or tywysogion, mewn unrhyw un na all striking example of just that religious origin. To do anything less waredu’ meddir yn Salm 143. Ar ôl is to fail Jesus Christ. wythnos fel honno, efallai y byddwn truth famously remarked by ninnau o’r un farn â’r Salmydd. the former Prime Minister Our nation has voted to leave the Mae’r cyfan yn ddos o realiti i ni. Yn Harold Wilson. With the vote EU (and by implication to reduce gyntaf, pwy ydyn ni wir yn ymddiried to leave the European Union, immigration). But let us never leave ynddo wrth edrych tua’r dyfodol? the pound fell, economic behind our values of inclusion, Mae’r ysgrythurau’n ein galw ni i diversity, hospitality; of protection for ymddiried yn Nuw, a dyma lle dylid planning was plunged into the most vulnerable, and of mercy, for sefydlu ein hyder. uncertainty, and the leadership fear of losing our very souls. of both the main political Yn ail, dylem weddïo am ddoethineb parties was thrown up in the Bishop Gregory i’r rhai a elwir i arwain, a gofyn i air. Dduw ar iddyn nhw weithio gyda’i gilydd er lles pawb ac ymgorffori The Bible, while acknowledging gwerthoedd Teyrnas Dduw: trugaredd, the impact of politics, takes a very ffyddlondeb, gostyngeiddrwydd a sceptical line on earthly power. ‘Do gwirionedd. Ond rhaid i ni hefyd gynnig not put your trust in princes, in human ein tystiolaeth ein hunain. Waeth beth beings, who cannot save.’ says Ps am wleidyddiaeth, rwy’n gobeithio 143. After a week like that, we may y gallwn fod yn unedig wrth wneud be minded to agree. safiad yn erbyn un o’r pethau hyllaf a ddaeth i’r amlwg yn y refferendwm: It all calls for a reality check. First, ofni dieithriaid, senoffobia. in whom do we really trust for the future? The scriptures call us to trust Cymerodd rhai pobl y bleidlais fel cyfle God, and this is where our confidence i fynegi casineb hiliol, gan ymosod ar should be founded. Second, we y rhai a amddiffynnodd gynhwysiant should pray for wisdom for those hiliol. Mae rhai yn ein hesgobaeth ni called to leadership and ask God that ein hunain eisoes wedi cael eu cam- they work together for the common drin neu wedi dioddef ymosodiad good and embody the values of Mae wythnos yn oherwydd iddyn nhw gael eu gweld fel tramorwyr, ymyrwyr, a dieithriaid. God’s Kingdom: mercy, faithfulness, amser hir ym myd humility and truth. But we must also offer our own witness. Regardless gwleidyddiaeth Fel Cristnogion sy’n credu yn of politics, I hope that we can be lletygarwch Duw, yr un sy’n ein derbyn ni fel y derbyniodd y tad y mab united in taking a stand against one Ddiwedd mis Mehefin, afradlon, mae gennym ddyletswydd of the ugliest things to raise its head cawsom enghraifft drawiadol in the referendum: fear of strangers, i ymladd yn erbyn hiliaeth a rhagfarn, xenophobia. o wirionedd y dywediad i sefyll dros bob aelod o’n cymuned enwog hwn o eiddo’r cyn- beth bynnag yw eu tarddiad hiliol neu There were people who took the Brif Weinidog, Harold ethnig neu grefyddol. Mae gwneud unrhyw beth llai na hynny’n gyfystyr â vote as an opportunity to express Wilson. Gyda’r bleidlais i siomi Iesu Grist. racial hatred, and attack those who adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, defended racial inclusion. There have already been those in our own gostyngodd gwerth y bunt, Mae ein cenedl wedi pleidleisio dros diocese abused or attacked because suddodd cynllunio economaidd adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd (a thrwy they were seen as foreigners, i ansicrwydd, ac roedd oblygiad, i leihau mewnfudo). Ond gadewch i ni beidio byth â gadael interlopers, and strangers. arweinyddiaeth y prif bleidiau ein gwerthoedd y tu ôl i ni, sef gwleidyddol yn y fantol. As Christians who believe in the cynhwysiant, amrywiaeth, lletygarwch; hospitality of God, the one who diogelwch ar gyfer y mwyaf bregus, a Mae’r Beibl, gan gydnabod effaith receives us like the father received thrugaredd, rhag ofn colli ein heneidiau gwleidyddiaeth, yn cynnwys llinell the prodigal son, we have a duty to o ddifrif. sy’n amheus iawn o bŵer daearol. fight racism and prejudice, to stand ‘Peidiwch ag ymddiried mewn up for all members of our community Esgob Gregory www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 3 Re-drawing the map – how Mission Areas are shaping up

A significant and important to date at the first opportunity and agreement between the churches decision affecting everyone in asked Bishop Gregory to provide in the MA for its day to day running. the Teulu Asaph was reached answers to questions he gets The document should be agreed during June’s meeting of frequently asked: and completed through consultation with both laity and clergy. the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Conference. What is a Mission Area What will happen to my Members voted to accept (MA)? Church? plans to make Mission Areas It is a group of mutually supportive the new fundamental unit of It will work with other churches in churches working together for the Mission Area. Everyone will the diocese. This is more a common purpose. Individual be invited to build teams across than just a name change. parishes will be united and merged the MA. Clergy and licensed The move to Mission Areas to form one parish known as the ministers will be licenced to the MA acknowledges the role that Mission Area (MA). The newly and not individual churches. This created MA will share each church’s each of us has in mission and Shared Ministry Team (SMT) will responsibility to its local community. ministry. be available to serve your Church, For example, anybody in a MA can although you’ll still have a specific be baptised, married and buried in We are half way on our journey nominated ‘Vicar’. You’ll be asked any church in the MA, subject to the to 2020. During an extraordinary to add your weight to mission – normal requirements. general meeting of the Standing witnessing to God’s love in the Committee in 2012, the world. recommendations of the Harries Review were prioritised for the Each church within a MA may diocese and the creation of Mission appoint its own church committee Areas was voted the single most to be responsible for matters of important proposal. This mandate local concern. It will elect two sub- from the membership is being carried wardens, a treasurer who will act on out and the framework to underpin the finance sub-committee of the this change is now agreed. MA and will have the opportunity to send a representative to the Part 2 of the 2020 Vision Toolkit is buildings sub-committee of the MA. being prepared to guide churches How is this happening? and Mission Areas through the Other key words and phrases you spiritual, legal and financial The Diocesan Registrar has drawn will begin to hear: processes. This will be sent to up a decree which will be signed by • Mission Area Conference every church and will be available me to legally establish and identify (MAC) – this will set the on the website. In the meantime, the Mission Area. In addition, each strategic direction of the MA. Teulu Asaph wanted to keep you up MA will have a covenant - a working It will assume the authority of

4 | Teulu Asaph both the former PCC and Deanery Conference. Two MA wardens will be appointed Deanery of and will act as lay co-chairs St. Asaph Estuary & Mo of the MAC. untain • Mission Area Executive

Abe (MAE) – this will have day to Rhos

day responsibility for the MA rco

Deanery of rlands under the leadership of the nwy Denbigh Mold Mission Area Leader and/or

the MA Wardens. Borde • Mission Area Leader (MAL) Dyffryn Clwyd Alyn – the will m appoint one member of the a Wrexh SMT to act as Mission Area

Leader. Offa Maelor Deanery of Penllyn & Edeyrnion When is this happening?

As you see from the map most The Diocese areas are already in a Mission Tanat Area and the rest will be in of St. Asaph place before the end of 2016, as Mission Areas agreed. Mission Areas will have Vyrnwy six months from the legal decree “Deanery of . . .” indicates establishing the MA to enact their that the transition to Deanery of Covenant. “Mission Area” has not been Caereinion Pool been completed by the date Will it cost anymore? of this map and also their current Parish / Benefice boundaries are shown. The diocesan formula for meeting the costs of ministry remains the same. Each church pays a figure based on its three year Cedewain Archdeaconries average attendance and the St Asaph Montgomery share of ministry it receives. However, Mission Areas are about remembering that we are the Compiled by Canon Ian Day from a map by the Cartographic Unit, Dept. of Geography, U.C. Swansea Body of Christ together, and that and updated to show the Diocese as at July 2016 the future of each church is linked with every other. We hope that churches will support growth in one another, and share resources What about ‘permission’ generously but fairly. to do new things?

Isn’t it about reducing We need fresh ideas about how clergy numbers? we can be disciples of Jesus, and share the blessings faith brings. We No. We currently have 75 need pioneers who will be prepared stipendiary clergy, plus eight to give things a go. We’re still training posts. There are no plans Anglicans, so there are some things If you have any questions to reduce this because we believe we’re committed to: the threefold relating to Mission Areas, it is sustainable for the foreseeable ordained ministry of deacon, for please send them to Teulu future. There’s also more interest example, priest and bishop; liturgical Asaph and we will publish them in other ways of being ordained, or worship and the Sacraments; a deep alongside an answer in future exploring new ministries which fit tradition of prayer and spirituality. editions. Please send them to the Church of today and people’s However, the diocesan leadership Karenmaurice@churchinwales. gifts. See page 8 for details on wants to encourage, not stifle, so on org.uk Shared Ministry. the whole, give it a go! www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 5 Having a heart for the homeless

Churches and Mission Areas is to help more churches in North are being encouraged to to end homelessness. Its consider how they can do Director, Pastor Pete Cunningham more to tackle homelessness. and Partnership Liaison Bec Wilkinson joined the team at Riverdee Green Pastures, a Christian Community Church to explain how social enterprise, is looking they work. to partner with local churches to provide homes for those ‘There are a few things we ask when in most need. After an churches get involved,’ explained Bec. endorsement from Bishop ‘Firstly, are they legitimately Christian? Gregory at a recent Diocesan By that, I mean, is there a team of Standing Committee, Christians meeting and the Engagement Officer, praying regularly Sarah Wheat organised an together? information day at Talbot Court Secondly, is in Holywell, run by Riverdee there a team to Community Church in Flint, for support you? people to find out more. Third, is there a need? From Across the UK more than 760 people where will you are helped by Green Pastures, who’ve get your referrals? Those are the key built up nine years of experience questions asked and it’s only to ensure and a 200-home, £30m property they understand the challenges!’ portfolio. The social enterprise buys the properties, leases them to local Challenging it maybe but it’s not churches that act as landlords and without its rewards as Bec went on to support the holistic needs of those explain: ‘One church in Staffordshire they house. had a policy that its residents, all Ceris Lewis has been living in ex-offenders, had to attend church. Talbot Court for five years. She In Holywell, Green Pastures has Not every church decides that is was pregnant and sofa-surfing partnered with Riverdee Community appropriate but this church did. Very when she was referred to Talbot Church which employs a full time quickly they saw that not only did they Court by Flint Evangelical Church. housing manager to run change the lives of their residents but She has her own support worker at 24 flats, across three their residents changed their life too. the flats and is really happy to be properties. In one, They changed their church for the making an independent life for her Talbot Court every better.’ and her four year old daughter. resident has a weekly meeting with their Challenge your Mission David Everett and Jonathan support worker; the Area Ashmore lost their home in Mold. church puts on a regular Facing homelessness and lunch and commits to A number of Mission Areas are already with little support from the pray for the residents. exploring how they can partner local authorities, they say, with Green Pastures and tackle they were eventually Work with homelessness in their community. put in touch with us Talbot Court and If you’d like to do the same, visit moved into their Green GreenPastures.net or email me at flat 12 months Pastures’ [email protected] ago. vision

4 | Teulu Asaph News / Newyddion New clergy for the Diocese

Nine new deacons and priests were • Juliet Fraser, to serve in the St The candidates for the Priesthood ordained during the Petertide service Asaph Deanery, rooted in were: at on June, 25. • Ann Hooper, to serve in the • Phil Carey, serving in the The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd emerging Estuary and Mountain emerging Offa Mission Area conducted the Mission Area, rooted in • Ivor Hawkins, serving in the service and the preacher was Bishop • Peter Nissen, to serve in the emerging Caereinion Mission Jack Nicholls, the former Bishop of emerging Alyn Mission Area, Area Sheffield. Those ordained Deacon rooted in • Peter Heaney, serving in the were: • Yvonne Pryce, to serve in the emerging Tanat Mission Area • Dorothi Evans, to serve in the emerging Alyn Mission Area, • Glyn Jones, serving in the Penllyn and Edeyrnion Deanery, rooted in emerging Caereinion Mission rooted in Area

International Christian Aid calls us to ‘Change the Story’ Music Festival at St The Head of Christian Aid Cymru echoed the charity’s called to ‘Change Asaph Cathedral The Story’ at his recent visit to the International Eisteddfod in . Huw Thomas reminded the audience on the Maes that both Christian Aid and the International Eisteddfod were set up after WW2 amongst other things to promote peace and reconciliation. Today, post the EU referendum he used the words of John F Kennedy to escaping violence. It’s encouraging inspire action: ‘On Earth, God’s work you to write to your local newspaper to The North Wales International Music must truly be our own.’ explain why you think refugees deserve Festival launched this year’s box office Christian Aid is urging the UK more compassion, and to call on the sales with a concert featuring the Welsh government to commit to host at least UK government to be bolder in its Premiere of Paul Mealor’s Symphony double the number of refugees it has ambition to respond to the crisis. Find No. 1, Passiontide. currently promised, and do more to out more at http://www2.christianaid. This year’s festival, which will be held ensure safe and legal passage for those org.uk/change-the-story. at St Asaph Cathedral from Saturday 17 September to Saturday 1 October, will feature classical guitarist Miloš Karadaglić, vocal group Ex Cathedra, New evangelists for St Asaph pianist Janina Fialkowska, West End soprano Margaret Preece, violinist Four people from across the Diocese is the first time the Bishop of St Asaph Tamsin Waley-Cohen, the Vale of have been licensed to work as has licenced Evangelists, a newly Clwyd Singers, harpist Anne Denholm, evangelists. In a special service at the developed form of lay ministry, which pianist Iwan Llewelyn Jones, the St Mark’s Centre for Mission, , aims to reconnect communities outside Festival Choir and the World Premiere Wrexham, Rocky Bateman, a retail the church with the Christian faith. of Paul Mealor’s Symphony No. 2 with manager from , Dr Michael NEW Sinfonia. Vellacott, a former GP from Wrexham, Tickets are available from Cathedral Dr Cass Meurig, a musician from Frames, St Asaph or Theatr Clwyd - Bala and Jennie Willson, a consultant 01352 701521. For further information from were licensed and please visit www.nwimf.com. commissioned to the new role. This www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 7 Encouraging everyone to discover their ministry

One of the major themes installation of the Archbishop of mission areas and the diocese and of 2020 Vision and the Wales. In between there is a range Province can each identify and development of Mission of ministry in which an individual or commission people to serve in their Areas is the reaffirmation group is asked to do or be in the name in different roles. name of other Christians. of God’s call to us all to be Some of these ministries require The new document Ministry ministers of his love. Shared formal Roles and ministry is the vision that authorisation Training in everyone should have the by licence the Diocese opportunity to discover their from the of St Asaph own particular ministry, bishop, reproduced formal or informal, which because in the uses their own God-given they involve Church Life representing sections of gifts. It’s very different the Church the diocesan from a model of choosing a in Wales in a website (and small number of individuals broad public distributed (clergy) to do everything for way, such in Part 2 of us but one which is essential as in preaching or conducting a the 2020 Vision Toolkit) provides to meeting the future needs funeral or being a chaplain. Others information and resources to help of our local communities are performed in the name of those responsible for developing and witnessing to the Good the mission area, such as taking shared ministry in their mission communion to a housebound areas to work towards this vision. News of Jesus. As the Revd church member, or taking part in It encourages local churches to Dr Richard Hainsworth, the a service as a worship leader or feel empowered to be creative Diocesan Training Officer running a youth group. Mission in allowing their members to use Areas are empowered to their gifts. It also introduces some identify and commission new opportunities for recognised these ministers. Other ministries such as Evangelist and ministries might be exercised Pastor, Catechist and Outreach primarily on behalf of a local Worker, as well as providing up church, such as maintaining to date information about training its website, running a lunch and discernment arrangements for club, being a sidesperson established roles including Reader or administering the chalice. and clergy, pastoral assistants and These are for the local worship leaders. congregation to recognise and appoint. To find out more visit: http:// stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/ The guiding principle is that life/ the community of people in explains, new resources whose name the ministry is carried If you would like Richard to run are available to help people out should be empowered to a training session on Shared embrace shared ministry. investigate what roles are needed Ministry in your Mission Area to meet their needs, help their contact him on 01352 840842 / Ministry can be as simple and members reflect on their calling [email protected]. informal as one person asking a to these ministries, and train and Christian friend to listen to or pray commission ministers to meet for them, or as formalised as the these needs. Local congregations,

8 | Teulu Asaph Annog pawb i ddarganfod eu gweinidogaeth

Un o brif themâu Mae angen i rai o’r gweinidogaethau Gweinyddiaeth a Hyfforddiant yn Gweledigaeth 2020 a datblygu hyn gael awdurdodiad ffurfiol drwy Esgobaeth Llanelwy (Ministry Roles Ardaloedd Cenhadaeth yw gyfrwng trwydded gan yr Esgob, gan and Training in the Diocese of St ailddatgan galwad Duw ar eu bod yn ymwneud â chynrychioli’r Asaph), a atgynhyrchwyd yn yr Eglwys yng Nghymru mewn ffordd adran ‘Bywyd yr Eglwys’ (Church i bob un ohonom fod yn gyhoeddus eang, fel mewn gwaith Life) ar wefan yr Esgobaeth, yn weinidogion pregethu darparu gwybodaeth ac adnoddau ei gariad. neu gynnal er mwyn helpu’r rhai sy’n gyfrifol Mae angladd neu am ddatblygu gweinidogaeth ar y Gweinidog- fod yn gaplan. cyd yn eu hardaloedd cenhadaeth aeth ar Mae eraill i weithio tuag at weledigaeth hon. y Cyd yn yn cael eu Mae’n annog eglwysi lleol i deimlo’n weledigaeth gweithredu ddigon grymus i fod yn greadigol yn enw’r ardal wrth ganiatáu i aelodau ddefnyddio’u sy’n nodi y genhadaeth, doniau. Mae hefyd yn cyflwyno rhai dylai pawb fel mynd â cyfleoedd newydd i weinidogaethau gael y cyfle i chymun i cydnabyddedig fel efengylydd, caplan ddarganfod aelod eglwysig bugeiliol, addysgydd a gweithiwr eu gweinidogaeth benodol sy’n gaeth i’r tŷ, neu gymryd rhan cenhadol, yn ogystal â darparu eu hunain, yn ffurfiol neu’n mewn gwasanaeth fel arweinydd gwybodaeth gyfredol ynghylch anffurfiol, sy’n defnyddio’r addoliad neu arwain grŵp ieuenctid. trefniadau hyfforddi a dirnadaeth doniau a roddwyd iddyn nhw Caiff Ardaloedd Cenhadaeth eu ar gyfer rolau sefydledig gan grymuso i nodi a chomisiynu’r gynnwys Darllenwyr Lleyg, clerigion, gan Dduw. Mae’n wahanol gweinidogion hyn. Efallai y byddai cynorthwywyr bugeiliol ac arweinwyr iawn i fodel o ddewis nifer gweinidogaethau eraill yn cael eu addoliad. fach o unigolion (clerigwyr) i harfer yn bennaf ar ran eglwys leol, fel wneud popeth ar ein rhan, ond cynnal ei gwefan, cynnal clwb yn hytrach yn un sy’n hanfodol cinio, bod yn ystlyswyr neu i gwrdd ag anghenion ein weinyddu’r cwpan cymun. Y cymunedau lleol yn y dyfodol a gynulleidfa leol fydd yn nodi a thystiolaethu i’r newyddion da phenodi’r dyletswyddau hyn. am Iesu. Fel mae’r Parchg Ddr Yr egwyddor arweiniol yw Richard Hainsworth, Swyddog y dylai cymuned o bobl y Hyfforddi’r Esgobaeth yn mae’r weinidogaeth yn cael egluro, mae adnoddau newydd ei chynnal yn ei henw, gael ei ar gael i helpu pobl gofleidio’r grymuso i ymchwilio pa rolau weinidogaeth ar y cyd. sydd eu hangen i ddiwallu eu hanghenion, i helpu eu Gall gweinidogaeth fod mor syml haelodau fyfyrio ar eu galwad ac anffurfiol ag unigolyn sy’n gofyn i’r gweinidogaethau hyn, a i ffrind Cristnogol wrando arno neu hyfforddi a chomisiynu gweinidogion Er mwyn cael gwybod mwy, ewch i: weddïo drosto, neu mor ffurfiol â i gwrdd â’r anghenion hyn. Gall http://stasaph.churchinwales.org. gosod Archesgob Cymru. Rhwng cynulleidfaoedd lleol, ardaloedd uk/life/ y ddau begwn ceir amrediad o cenhadaeth yr Esgobaeth a’r Dalaith Os hoffech chi i Richard gynnal weinidogaeth y mae gofyn i unigolyn nodi a chomisiynu pobl i wasanaethu sesiwn hyfforddi ar Weinidogaeth neu grŵp ei gweithredu, neu i fod yn eu henw yn y gwahanol rolau. ar y Cyd yn eich Ardal Genhadaeth ynddi, yn enw Cristnogion eraill. cysylltwch ag ef ar 01352 840842 / Mae’r ddogfen newydd Rolau [email protected]. www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 9 A Church for all Sarah Hildreth-Osborn St Grwst Church

This summer sees the launch What sort of support, of the ’ services or activities will members of the LGBT first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual you provide? community. and Transgender (LGBT) Chaplaincy here in the I’m looking to organize a Eucharist What do you say to those . The specifically for the LGBT community who will struggle to at least once a month. Already, St Bishop has asked the Vicar support this? Grwst here in Llanwrst has agreed to of the Revd Sarah be a base for the chaplaincy along This chaplaincy is rooted in pastoral Hildreth-Osborn to set up with St Peter’s in Holywell and St support offering a welcome to all the chaplaincy and here she Giles in Wrexham. The chaplaincy to meet with God, just as you are. answers questions about her will be holistic in its approach: Many in the diocese will support plans: after each service there will be an this and see it as a mission to those opportunity for fellowship, to share on the margins. To those who What is a LGBT stories and learn from each other’s aren’t supportive, I’d say, ‘If you’re chaplaincy? journey of faith. judging people, you have no time to love them! We need to stop using The chaplaincy will be a safe sacred How can people access scripture to hurt people.’ space where LGBT people can gather this service? to explore their spirituality and be How will your experience affirmed as created in the image of The service is open to everyone and shape the support you God. It will be rooted in the belief there is information on the diocesan offer? that all are welcome and focus on website. Clergy colleagues will be pastoral care. able to refer people to me, especially I can only draw on my own those seeking information about experience. As a gay woman I spent marriage and blessings. years being told, often by fellow Christians, I was wrong and ‘a sinner’. Will you be working alone I’ve learnt now that God is so much or will there be other bigger, wiser and kinder than the chaplains? church and I want to offer that pastoral care and support to others. For years At the moment it’s just me as I couldn’t say the words of Ps 139 ‘I chaplain but there are plenty of praise you because I am fearfully and other supportive clergy and lay wonderfully made.’ I can now and St Giles Church people across I want everyone, regardless of their the Diocese. sexuality, to be able to do the same. In these early stages, I think it’s To find out more, visit: http:// important that stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/life/ those leading steering-groups/engaging/ services are Or email Sarah: revsarah3005@ themselves btinternet.com

St Peter’s Holywell God in the Forest

Youth Church meets once a better person?’ During this time I month in different locations answered all these questions. I have across the Diocese. On learnt a lot from this and many others 18 June, 25 young people did too. gathered in Betws y Coed Thank you to Revd Stuart for teaching with the Revd Stuart Elliot to us lots of new things. experience Forest Church and seek God in the wild. Elisha After all this nature on the ground, we Harrison-Smith, from St John were about to experience it from up the Baptist Church, Pentrobin, above! Penymynnydd, recounts the day: We walked up to Zip World Forest to do the Zip World Safari, through the trees. The first activity was feeling what it is like to be prey…or predator. We split We did our practising on the ground. into three groups and formed circles. It was a lot of fun. When we started to The prey had to shut their eyes tight get higher we could see lots of nature and make themselves feel small and below us. vulnerable. The predator had to circle as quiet as possible and then stop. I learnt a lot on this adventure, mainly The prey then had to point to where that we need to make time to sit they thought the predator was. It was down and think about the world a great start to an even better day. around us. We need to pray to make it more caring and peaceful. We need The next activity was using nature to say thank you for the good things around us to build a simple labyrinth. in everyday life. I know I will make It was a great teamwork task. this time and I hope you will too. Another activity was ‘Deer Ears’. We Thank you to Tim Feak and everyone all had to cup our hands around our who helped organise this amazing ears. One of the boys went to the day. middle of the park and said a word in his normal voice. We then used Youth Church is open to all aged 11- our ‘deer ears’ to hear his word, 18. It is run by Tim Feak the Diocesan ‘cheeseburger’, which was impossible under 25 officer. to hear without the ‘deer ears’!

You can find further information at Last we had reflection time. We found http://stasaph.churchinwales.org. a quiet place to sit and I thought: uk/life/steering-groups/nurturing/ ‘How many times a week have I learning/st-asaph-youth/what- sinned? Why? Was there a reason? others-do/ Can I change that and make me a www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 11 The Gift of Education The Theology of Church Schools

In the next in our series to do, following the example of Jesus. our laws, our rights, even our exploring the application of Of the 90 times people approached geography is predicated on values the Bible to the real world, him in the Gospels, they addressed found in the Gospel. Simon Cameron, the Diocesan him as ‘Teacher’ no less than 60 times. We don’t look for our pupils to Schools Officer, explains be confirmed the rationale behind Church The 1944 Anglicans by the Schools. In an increasingly Education Act, time they leave pluralistic world, he writes, which established our schools. What the ability to understand and education as we we do expect is engage with people of different know it today, that our pupils will creeds and philosophies is sought to enshrine take the theme of hugely important: in law the model religion seriously, of education as something developed and real, important Before taking on my current role, I had fostered by the and meaningful the privilege of working in a number Church. This included the values in their own lives, regardless of their of church schools, both in the UK and of education for all, including both own personal beliefs. We expect them abroad. Where I think the media get collective worship and Religious to be ‘religiously literate’, equipped it wrong is this; the ‘faith’ in a faith Education as part of the normal and empowered to engage with the school isn’t an expected outcome, timetable, together with a full deeper questions of life, able to make but a foundational principle. The programme of academic study. Never secure and informed ethical and moral Church never founded schools as a meant to brainwash or indoctrinate, judgements and decisions according sausage machine the aim was to to a clearly defined and deeply to produce pass on the values embedded system of personal values. generations of that underpin our dutiful Anglicans society – justice, To find out more about the 51 filling pews on charity, tolerance, Church Schools in the Diocese Sundays. Rather, democracy, equality of St Asaph and get involved in the Church of dignity, social supporting them, visit http:// founded schools responsibility and stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/life/ because it freedom. steering-groups/nurturing/learning/ recognised that schools-2/. To contact children have Demographics may have changed, Simon, email him at the inalienable right to an education, with fewer people considering SimonCameron@ to help them reach their promised themselves ‘Christian’ on Government churchinwales.org. fullness of life (see John 10:10) and census forms, but religion is still a uk realise their human dignity. The Church fundamental part of life for many offers education freely, as a gift to the people, shaping their beliefs and people of Wales. We seek to educate, informing their actions. Our judiciary, because we believe it’s the right thing

12 | Teulu Asaph Schools / Ysgolion

Urdd Success for Ysgol

Ysgol Trefnant Church in Wales which was a huge success for the School were very successful in the school and their first time on the Urdd Eisteddfod in Flint. They were big stage. The children thoroughly placed second in Wales for second enjoyed the experience and look language Cerdd Dant competition forward to competing again next year.

Teachers from schools across the equitably and justly; and how the Numeracy in RE north of the Diocese gathered at St story of Purim and the traditional Mary’s School, recently, for Hamantaschen cakes can help a workshop on ‘Numeracy in RE’. understand the properties of different Five pupils presented their work and kinds of triangles. learning, showing how RE can be All those who attended were a powerful vehicle for learning and hugely impressed with the pupils’ improving maths skills. Among many confidence and knowledge, and ideas, they showed how the parable with how the teachers are planning a of the talents can help understand numeracy strand so effectively in their profit and percentage increase; how RE. Everyone went back to their own to share resources (and cakes!) schools feeling inspired!

Resources / Adnoddau

Looking ahead to Harvest: Feeding bodies and minds in Sri Lanka

For its Harvest campaign, US (formerly live in small houses. Healthcare and your church to USPG) is highlighting the marginalised schooling is scare. But education support US this tea plantation communities in Sri provides a way forward. US- Harvest , visit Lanka. It is supporting the Church of funded teachers can work with both www.weareUS.

Photo: Us/Leah Gordon Ceylon in its programme to provide children and their parents providing org.uk/harvest young children with an education and both regular classes and advice on or contact Ros This Harvest we are supporting Us and the world church as they enable children to eat well. a healthy diet, giving them a good improving children’s diets. Crawford, the As a result, children of tea plantation workers start in life. US is providing FREE Harvest US rep in this in Sri Lanka are getting a more nutritious diet. Life in Sri Lanka’s tea plantations films and worship resources to help diocese at can be very challenging. The work churches, schools and youth groups. ros1943@ www.weareUs.org.uk

Us. The new name for USPG is hard. The families of tea pickers To find out more and to sign up hotmail.co.uk. Registered charity number 234518

Taking control in a vacancy Resources for Ben-Hur A new resource to support churches Damaris Media is offering a free after years at sea, returns during a clerical vacancy is now available discussion guide on the new film, to his homeland to seek at http://stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/ Ben-Hur, released in cinemas at the revenge, but finds life/. The Guide to a Clerical Vacancy end of August. The film tells the epic redemption. You can includes a checklist for use before your story of Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), download the guide and vicar leaves along with information on a prince falsely accused of treason by an activity pack, suitable maintaining church services, arranging his adopted brother Messala (Toby for youth groups, at baptisms, weddings and other occasional Kebbell), an officer in the Roman http://benhur.damarismedia.com/. offices and who to contact for support. army. He is forced into slavery and www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 13 Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi

Noson ‘Peryg Bywyd’ i’w chofio!

Damweiniau difrifol, ymosodiad Gymreig - beth sydd well na gwrando erchyll gyda chyllell, a bywydau stori a chân? Codwyd £210 at yr mewn peryg wrth deithio Affrica a Ambiwlans Awyr. morio’r moroedd mawr... dyna i chi flas ar noson ‘Storiau o’r Galon’ Medi 17 fydd y noson ‘Storiau o’r gynhaliwyd yng nghaffi Gorwelion, Y Galon’ nesa, a’r thema fydd ‘Chwys Bala ar 18 Mehefin. Chwech o bobl Domen!’ gyda’r elw i gyd yn mynd leol oedd yn ddigon dewr i ddweud at Breast Cancer Wales. Tybed oes stori gwir o’u profiad eu hun ar y gennych chi stori i’w ddweud? Os thema ‘Peryg Bywyd’, gyda eitemau felly cysylltwch â Cass ar 01678 cerddorol gwych gan y ffidlwr jazz 521403 neu cass.meurig@gmail. Billy Thompson a’r band ifanc Y com. Dewch, mae’n achos da! Cledrau yn ychwanegu at y naws. Noson gymdeithasol yn yr hen ddull Living Dangerously

Near-fatal accidents, a knife attack, framed the second half with Welsh lives in danger whilst travelling in songs. The cafe was packed with Africa and sailing the high seas... just people of all ages and £210 was a taste of the evening of ‘Storiau o’r raised towards the Air Ambulance. It Galon’ (‘Stories from the Heart’) held was a true community evening and in Gorwelion café, Bala on June, 18. a great fundraiser. Six local people took the challenge of telling a true story from their own The next in the series will be on lives on the theme of ‘Peryg Bywyd!’ September, 17 in Gorwelion and (Living Dangerously), in ten minutes the theme will be ‘Chwys Domen!’ with no notes and no slides - proper (Embarrasing Moments) with all storytelling the way stories used to profits going to Breast Cancer be told around the hearth. Fiddler Wales. It will be held entirely in Billy Thompson set the atmosphere Welsh but learners are more than in the first half with some welcome to come and listen. It’s all wild gipsy jazz in a good cause! and young local band Y Cledrau

14 | Teulu Asaph Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi

Raising funds for IT in Milo Primary School, Tanzania

A 67 year old unfit but committed Hilary, along with her husband Adrian, ‘IT4Tanzania’ granny from Bala has walked 118 miles is returning to Milo this August with two https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ along the Dee Way to raise awareness young men from Bala. Mael Evans will hilary-murray-it4tanzania and funds for IT in Milo Primary School, coach football to the Milo Football Club Tanzania. and the school, and Rhys Hughes will Hilary Murray, a member of the assist in teaching English and IT. An IT South West Tanganyika Association, expert, Kevin Simmons, who has lived followed the River Dee from source and worked in Tanzania, is going too, to sea because she is determined to install the IT and teach the teachers. that the children of Milo should have If you wish to support this, gifts may opportunities for a better education. be given via the Crowdfunding site Codi arian ar gyfer Technoleg Gwybodaeth Pencil in Sundays (TG) yn Ysgol Gynradd Milo, Tanzania - the architecture Mae nain 67 mlwydd oed o’r Bala, gyda dau ddyn ifanc o’r Bala. Bydd of sydd heb fod yn heini iawn, ond sy’n Mael Evans yn hyfforddi pêl-droed i hynod ymroddgar, wedi cerdded 118 Glwb Pêl-droed Milo a’r ysgol yno, a The churches around Ruthin are to milltir ar hyd Llwybr Dyffryn Dyfrdwy bydd Rhys Hughes yn helpu i ddysgu participate in Open Doors month with i godi ymwybyddiaeth a chodi arian Saesneg a TG. Mae arbenigwr TG, special informal and fun architecture Living Dangerously ar gyfer TG yn Ysgol Gynradd Milo, Kevin Simmons, sydd wedi byw a workshops. During September, every Tanzania. gweithio yn Tanzania, yn mynd yno Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm, Dilynodd Hilary Murray, aelod o hefyd i osod y TG ac i addysgu’r you can join artist Jane McCormack to Gymdeithas De-orllewin Tanganyika, athrawon. learn to look at the details of the rich afon Dyfrdwy o’i tharddiad i’r môr am Os ydych yn dymuno cefnogi hyn, heritage of Ruthin’s buildings. Over ei bod yn benderfynol y dylai plant Milo mae’n bosib cyfrannu rhoddion drwy the four weeks the oldest buildings in gael cyfleoedd ar gyfer addysg well. safle Crowdfunding ‘IT4Tanzania’ Ruthin will feature including St Peter’s Bydd Hilary, ynghyd â’i gŵr Adrian, https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ Church, St Meugan’s , and yn dychwelyd i Milo ym mis Awst hilary-murray-it4tanzania St Mwrog and St Mary’s Llanfwrog. Shining Forth Festival of Flowers ‘A There was a good gathering for the resounding success’ Pentecost family service at St Johns Church, , writes Tony Hundreds of Parry. During the presentation a torch visitors passed without batteries did not shine out. through St. Just as the torch needs batteries, so Bridget’s Church, we need the Holy Spirit to light from for its within and shine forth. Festival of Flowers - with a Difference. Tantalisingly entitled ‘Dressed for the Occasion’ the Festival included an St Cystennin’s Annual Church exhibition of 14 Church vestments, clothing worn for special occasions, such as weddings, christenings Wardens Challenge and funerals. A team of top class Church warden Peter Jones is once to walk across shards of broken glass flower arrangers created floral again meeting the annual challenge to in bare feet. For more details or to designs inspired by each vestment. fund raise for St Cystennin’s Church, sponsor Peter, call 07745357290 or The outcome was a breathtaking Junction with an Ice Walk. email [email protected]. collection showing the vestments and On September, 24 he’ll be attempting floral creations - in harmony.

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 15 Pedal power for Blind Veterans UK

This year the diocesan offering the Diocese. As Martin writes, Diocesan Charity of the Year. will go to Blind Veterans UK it took nearly 15 hours in total! which supports ex-servicemen In the end it was June, 30 which offered and women and their families It was never going to be an easy the perfect conditions to attempt the challenge – a long day, neither hot, nor from a base in Llandudno. challenge but one I was determined to complete for several reasons. Firstly, wet or windy. As it happened there Fund raising has been given I wanted to appreciate the variety and was drizzle during that evening and into a boost with the Area Dean of extent of the deanery, and to raise its the night but that just helped keep me Penllyn and Edeyrnion, Canon profile. With several parishes joining us cool! Martin Snellgrove, taking up a from a neighbouring deanery, it is good sponsorship challenge to cycle to highlight all those churches now in If you would like to sponsor Martin to all 21 churches in his deanery the group. Secondly, my brother has by the mile or by the church and in one day. No mean feat, been diagnosed recently with macular support Blind Veterans UK please send cheques (payable to StAsaph DBF and considering they are spread degeneration so the impact of sight clearly marked for Diocesan Offering) over 115 miles and stand on loss resonates very personally with me. Thirdly, I wanted to support the to the Diocesan Office or donate online some of the highest ground in at: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ DiocesanOfferingBlindVeteransUK

Supporting Blind Veterans UK

Every church and community has sensory plants, for the gardens. 2017 Diocesan Offering Veterans among them, so the work of Blind Veterans UK is important to us Open Day The shortlist of those charities all. The money from our offering will nominated for the 2017 offering go towards the outdoor activities site Blind Veterans UK is holding an is now online at http://stasaph. at the centre in Llandudno, in particular open day at its Llandudno Centre on churchinwales.org.uk/life/ the woodland garden, opened in 2015 August, 13 from 10am – 4pm. It is funding-finance/grantscommittee/ to mark 100 years of the charity. A open to all and is a great opportunity offering/ Delegates to the Diocesan lot of work is being done to support to see first-hand the work they do and Conference will be able to vote for veterans to enjoy the woodlands and how the diocesan offering will help. their church’s choice. our donation will go towards a new To find out more, visit https://www. activity shed and plants, especially blindveterans.org.uk.