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Home , Diocese of St Asaph, Efenechtyd, Gellifor, Llangynhafal, Llanychan, Llanynys

Dyffryn Mission Area

Application Pack: November 2019 The of In the 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 who witnessed to Christian faith in Wales and have flourished through centuries of war, upheaval, 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 , 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 Valley. The northern boundary runs along the coast as far as , but only takes in part of that . The southern boundary runs from the lower end of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala) across to Dolfor, just south of Newtown in . Ecclesiastically it is bordered by the of , and on the northern and eastern sides. To the south we border 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 (one of the largest industrial parks in Europe) and 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.

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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

Dyffryn Clwyd (DC) Mission Area Profile

This profile is the product of a group effort on behalf of Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area Conference (MAC). Members of Dyffryn Clwyd Ministry Team (MT) have both contributed to the writing of this profile and engaged in the complementing group discussions. I wish to thank both MAC and MT for all their contributions and prayers which have culminated in this profile.

Local Churchwardens have been asked to contribute specifically to represent the five communities, formerly known as The Grouped Parishes of Llanarmon-yn-Iâl, Llanbedr DC, , , and . Thanks also to them and all that they offer in the Mission of God. These contributions reflect the inherited legacy of the historic parish identities which continue to be cherished; and a flavour of the geographical area in which you would have primary pastoral responsibility; whilst offering shared, and specialist, ministry across the Mission Area (MA) in accordance with the MA priorities and anticipated development.

Our MA consists of twelve Regular Places of Worship some of which are fragile (according to Lawson’s definition 2019, Rural Theology vol 17:1); one Pilgrim Church of occasional worship; and one church building of national historical significance which is maintained by Friends of Friendless Churches (see http://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/). There are three Primary Schools. There are two Mothers’ Union groups. The Chapter of Clergy includes three full-time stipendiary priests; one of whom is a curate and is expected to move posts during the Summer of 2020 having completed a two-year training curacy with us; and a Youth and Children’s Chaplain (0.5).

(Richard Carter MA Priest)

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What Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area has to offer?

Set in the – away from the busy A55 to Anglesey – Dyffryn Clwyd is the best kept secret in North Wales. Although off the main tourist route, it still attracts a wide variety of people looking for something different in this beautiful part of Wales.

The Vale forms the heart of the area framed by the open Moors of Hiraethog which rise to the west, the scenic Dee Valley and flat dunes to the north, edged by the Berwyns Mountains in the south, to the east, all form part of the boundary of County.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – runs north- south along the eastern border of Denbighshire. Popular for weekend breaks, visitors to the area can enjoy the great outdoors in a variety of ways. Families who live here enjoy interests such as hill- running, walking, cycling and the Offa’s Dyke Path. There are tremendous opportunities for children’s outdoor activities, with a strong emphasis on sports in the local schools.

Dyffryn Clwyd is an hour’s drive from Anglesey or the beautiful Llyn peninsula, Snowdonia, Chester, , , ; with good motorway links, and set around the medieval market town of , which is the Eglwys-hwb in our mission area. You can find a tennis club, sports and leisure facilities and local football and rugby clubs. We have a theatre and a local hotel which offers monthly wining and dining followed by a film in an authentic cinema setting.

In a recent Mission Area Away Day - with members of our shared ministry team and church wardens – we thought about what was ‘special’ about where we lived. Here are some of the things people identified:

As a place to worship and minister:

• A newly established but flourishing Chaplaincy in our local High School. • Church in Wales primary schools and strong links to other primary schools • Beautiful ancient churches with congregations passionate about their places of worship and local communities. • A developed Mission Area. • Collaborative ministry, with worship lay and clergy led - engaged, exciting, things working together. • Growth in our pastoral care, Discipleship and Start courses, prayer group, book club.

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• Hunger for growth and change. • Diversity in worship, modern-traditional; rural-town; • Eager to reach-out beyond the congregations; e.g. Social Soup.

As a place to live:

• Area of outstanding natural beauty. • Outdoor activities, whether it’s just walking the dog, or family events. • Good High Schools – with strong emphasis on music, science and languages. • Safe place to live, low crime rate. • Community neighbourhood watch – through the local community Facebook page. • Good food culture. • and art gallery. • Slower pace of life, good music and theatre culture. • Thriving – warm welcome to learners. • Job opportunities, County Council, Industrial estate, builder’s merchants. Tesco, technology estates. • New housing being built in several places in the MA. • A strong sense of community in villages and town.

(Caroline V Bennett MA Administrator)

These are our three key MA priorities for the next five years

Following two recent (12th June; 3rd September 2019) MA ‘Visioning Days’ we have identified three key priorities:

1. Our identity and communication as a MA. 2. Working with children and young people. 3. Developing ‘Pilgrimage – journeying with God’ within the MA.

This is how our three key MA priorities are already being realised

1. Our identity and communication as a MA

Recognising the need to draw twelve separate church communities into a closer relationship with God and with each other and develop an understanding of what it means to serve God and our community as a Mission Area, we have already established:

• a paid Administrator, working from the MA office, who produces a weekly newsletter, co- ordinates communication between the diocese, church communities and MA Exec, Mission Area Conference (equivalent of PCC), Clergy Chapter; and oversees MA Finance. • a Ministry Team (incorporating Licensed Lay Ministers, Worship Leaders, Pastoral Assistants) • a group who gather to pray regularly for growth.

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• two MA committees to oversee Finance and Buildings. • a voluntary team of supervised Pastoral Assistants. • a worship group to lead contemporary music within the MA. • regular Mission Area worship together - ‘5th Sunday’, Epiphany, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday Annual Pilgrimage Walk, Holy Week. • a monthly WCCM (see https://www.christianmeditation.org.uk) Christian Meditation group. • venues to host small groups and larger gatherings including our annual Mission Area ‘Marriage Preparation’ day.

2. Working with children and young people

We have already established:

• a regular engagement with our three church primary schools – Ysgol Borthyn, Ysgol Llanfair DC, Ysgol Llanbedr DC. • small expressions of family friendly Sunday worship including ‘Taste & See’ [alternative worship for all ages in two church communities each month] and other family services. • a newly appointed paid, part time Chaplain (right) for children and young people. • a Chaplaincy team of lay and ordained people who visit and engage with our local bilingual secondary school, Ysgol Brynhyfryd, each week. • ‘Teenscreen’ young people’s monthly film club and ‘Beverages’ young people’s monthly pastoral group. • Confirmation preparation in line with the diocesan link with the Diocese of Helsinki, The Anglican Church in Finland.

(Stuart Evans MA Priest & Judi Gait Lay Reader Minister)

Brynhyfryd Chaplaincy

A team of 6 people make up the chaplaincy team – a mixture of 1 Youth and Children’s Chaplain, 3 clerics and 2 laity. The team attend the local secondary school each Thursday during term time from 11.15am to 1.30pm. The current focus of the chaplaincy is to work with Years 7, 8, 12 and 13 – building relationships and becoming trusted members of the school family.

Teen Screen

A monthly meeting for young people of secondary school age. The session revolves around a secular film followed by a discussion where themes/observations from the film are explored, with an emphasis on faith and the gospel. There is a prayer to begin and often a challenge for the young people to undertake during the month until the next meeting.

The group has also begun to do some social outreach in supporting the winter pop-up homeless shelter with resources.

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The sessions are led by a team of 2 or 3 laity, with the vicar of Ruthin attending regularly. There are 14 members with an average attendance of 8.

Taste and See

Two fresh expressions running monthly – one in Llanarmon-yn-Iâl and one in Ruthin. The service takes place on a Sunday morning and begins with coffee and cake at around 11am. There is a short act of worship which includes a bible reading, prayers, modern worship songs and a ‘talky bit’. The service is led by a team of 3 – the Youth and Children’s Chaplain and 2 laity. The worship is followed by a relevant craft session to reinforce the learning.

Links are developing with the Mission Area family by attending family friendly events such as the Palm Sunday walk of witness and the crib service on Christmas Eve. There is an average attendance of 12 at Llanarmon-yn-Iâl, 10 at Ruthin.

Development of a Youth & Childrens Team

This team has had its inaugural meeting and it is anticipated that the team will contribute to our overall identity and sustainability of any work with under 25s.

(Tracey White MA Youth Leader & Esther Andrews Youth and Children’s Chaplain)

3. Developing ‘Pilgrimage – journeying with God’ within the MA

We have already established:

• a Prayer group for growth. • embryonic MA Study groups (for e.g. Lent, Book Group, Discipleship Course). • Group Marriage Preparation Annually. • Start Course (starting in October). • A desire to develop a five-year strategy to create a ‘Dyffryn Clwyd Pilgrim Way’ and consider what hospitality and spiritual tourism might look like within the MA.

(Stuart Evans MA Priest & Judi Gait Lay Reader Minister)

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These are some key facts about our MA including the five church communities where you would have primary pastorally responsibility

St Cynhafal’s Church, Llangynhafal.

The rural parish of Llangynhafal consists of the villages of Llangynhafal and and the hamlet of Hendrerwydd. Gellifor is the larger of the two villages, there is a Welsh Chapel, a Primary School – which the Church has a good relationship with and the Rector visits regularly – and a Community Centre sited on the school grounds, which is in frequent use by the community. There is a Holy Well in Llangynhafal, this is known as a pin well. There are two public houses, the White Horse in Hendrerwydd and the Golden Lion in Llangynhafal, both willing to help with community events. There are approximately 700 residents in Llangynhafal. The Church, the oldest part of which dates from the late 15th century, is a Grade 1 listed building with a double nave, typical of this area and is in an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”. The Church was left a generous bequest and we have plans to make some improvements, which we hope will help to increase the congregation! Numbers attending the services vary greatly. At present we have a monthly cycle of services, including Matins, Evensong and Holy Communion. We have Children’s Church on the 4th Sunday which takes place before the Holy Communion and they and their families stay for the rest of the service. We have a good fellowship with the Chapel and join together for the World Day of Prayer, on special occasions and for the annual Community Carol Service in which the School, Guides and take part. We have close connections with the other churches in the Benefice having joint services quarterly, during August and on various other occasions. We also meet as part of the Mission Area whenever there is a joint service.

(Janet Killow MA Representative)

St Garmon’s Church, Llanarmon-yn-Iâl.

St Garmon’s dates from the thirteenth century and is in the centre of a small village with a big community spirit. The thriving shop and Raven pub are both community-run and there is a bi- annual pantomime production. We have a small regular congregation but we also have links and some shared services with the local chapel, Rhiw Ial. The church hall known as the Old Schoolroom has recently been refurbished and is used for Church; Taste and See, Mother’s Union and meetings. Community activities include a youth club, karate, Pilates. Cor Dewi Sant, a 60 strong local choir, occasionally sing in the Church and would like to become more involved in services. Ysgol Bro Famau, the local primary school, comes to the Church for the opening Mothers’ Union service and for Christmas concerts.

(Sue Hanahoe MA Representative)

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St Hychan’s Church in Llanychan.

The tiny medieval church nestles in a beautiful and tranquil rural setting. The former parish boundary has no population centre within it however the church is supported by a small, faithful congregation. Average attendance at Sunday services has increased over the last two years. Services follow a traditional format which has attracted new members. The church community supports local rural and children’s charities each year and hosts the noonday service and picnic for our annual ‘Celtic Trinity Pilgrimage Walk’. The church is open 24 hours a day throughout the year and welcomes many visitors.

(Judith Davies MA Representative)

St Peter’s Church, Llanbedr DC.

The Victorian Grade 2* listed church of St Peter’s, open 24/7, is situated next to the A494 at the foot of the , in an AONB. The Rectory is next to the churchyard, as is the busy Village Community Hall, managed by Llanbedr Community Council. We would like to re-order the church to make it more accessible, to offer an even warmer welcome to visitors and to engage with the local community in different ways. A small estate of affordable housing is currently being built between the church and the school, and we are excited by the possibility of reaching out to new villagers. The bilingual Ysgol Llanbedr is a Church in Wales Maintained School which was recently saved from closure and is now thriving. Links between church and school are strong. We have a small regular congregation, but a larger number of worshippers who feel at home here and come to join us when they can. There are regular Eucharist and Morning Prayer services, but a variety of services throughout the year, including Compline, Modern Worship, Christingle and Stations of the Cross – the congregation are flexible, devout and anxious to serve the community.

(Alyson Goldstein Lay Reader Minister)

St. Saeran’s Church, Llanynys.

This ancient church, a Grade 1 listed building and the old mother church of the southern Vale of Clwyd is one of the most interesting churches in North Wales. It is located in a quiet hamlet bounded by fields, the only other buildings near the church being a small cluster of houses and a pub which is currently closed. An extensive history of the church has been written by Reverend Leonard Parry-Jones, vicar during the 1960’s. St Saeran’s stands on the site where a “clas” or religious community was founded approximately 560 A.D. and (with two exceptions) is the oldest church within a radius of 30 miles containing many historical features. It is a 13th century double- naved church, with many interesting aspects. The most famous and striking feature of the church is a 15th century wall painting of St. Christopher carrying the infant Christ over a river which was discovered by Reverend Leonard Parry-Jones in 1967, it had previously been

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As the church is situated in an area of small population, we have regular but sometimes small attendances except for major events such as the annual “Mission Area Pilgrimage Eucharist” and larger events such as the local “High Sheriff” Service; as well as weddings, funerals and baptisms. There are a number of people living in the Llanynys locality who are interested in the church, its history and development and even though they do not attend church regularly, still see it as a focal point of the village and a place to turn to for times and occasions which are important to them such as funerals and baptisms. Our most recent Baptism Service, held in September for instance, had 150 attendees, the main body of the Church was full and it was a joyous occasion when a fifth generation, great granddaughter who was christened.

St. Saeran’s is open 24 hours per day throughout the year, participates annually in both Ruthin and Districts “Open Doors” cultural and heritage weekends and has many visitors during the summer months including historical societies, walkers (groups and individuals) and cyclists. Its role is seen as historically, the major Church in the centre of the Vale of Clwyd and even now in more modern times an important Pilgrimage Church, a key element in working together with Llanychan and Llangynhafal Churches as part of our developing “Celtic Trinity Pilgrimage.” Services are held on alternative Sundays of the month and are traditional in character; Matins and Holy Communion. We follow pattern of worship from the Green Book of Common Prayer and also continue in the tradition of using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer mainly because some people prefer it to modern worship and have been known to travel to services from other localities, however, regular attendees at St Saeran’s would probably be welcome to worship in ancient or more modern formats.

Over the years we have secured Lottery funding and grants and have restored the roof and bells. Seven years ago a specialist wall painting conservator carried out restoration work on the St. Christopher wall painting and internal plastering and painting of the church was undertaken approximately four years ago. The condition of the Church is good and has recently been very positively remarked upon by “Open Doors” visitors from various locations. The church has a healthy bank balance and investments at present, expenditure slightly exceeds income.

(Rhian Edwards Pastoral Assistant)

The Rectory.

The 1970s Rectory in Lllanbedr DC, is a large, bright, modern, centrally-heated four-bedroom house with kitchen/breakfast room, dining room and large lounge with French doors to the rear garden. The front door opens into a vestibule with a study and cloakroom off and double doors separate this part from the living accommodation. The front entrance is approached via a shared driveway and there is a double garage adjacent to house. The garden, lawn with some mature shrubbery and a paved area, is mainly to the rear and secluded by mature hedges.

(Alyson Goldstein Lay Reader Minister)

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This is how we pray our key MA priorities, by God’s grace, will grow and develop

1. Priority One: Our identity and communication as a MA

We seek to share our faith through Worshiping God, Growing the Church and Loving the World. We have been looking at areas that need improvement across the MA, and one of our themes is communication. We will be developing how we do this in a variety of ways, and below are some of the ideas we have identified.

• Create a forum for sharing information across the mission area with one another and within our local area – and with those in our non-church communities. • Use social media, local face book pages to tell people about who we are what we believe and what we do. • Produce a monthly MA magazine – with a small group of dedicated people interested in putting together a magazine and updating the web pages. • Get external help to develop and re-launch a new website • Have pop-up banners in churches telling people about our mission to share the Gospel of Jesus here in the Vale of Clwyd. • Put together folders in churches – with information for visitors and a welcome pack for when a new resident moves in, or for the new houses when they are built.

Moving forward, we have identified the need to:

• develop our MA website and social media presence. • work towards developing, from two existing publications, one monthly mini MA magazine. • Consider how badges, banners, posters etc. might promote the sense of ‘belonging’ to one another and to God and identify ourselves as the ‘family’ of Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area. • Review and renew our pattern of worship across the 12 communities of the MA.

(Caroline V Bennett MA Administrator)

• We would also like to be able to identify job descriptions for each of the MA clergy which will enable us to identify our individual gifts and ministerial skills and thus become assigned to specific ministries within the MA which are vocationally nourishing.

(Richard Carter MA Priest)

2. Priority Two: Working with children and young people.

Brynhyfryd Chaplaincy – moving from developing relationships to provision of one-to-one conversations around faith and other life issues. Also, to providing mindfulness and meditation sessions.

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Teen Screen – adding three more sessions a year (one per term) which are not film focused, but give more opportunity for the young people to interact. Also, to provide activities which reflect their desire for social outreach.

Taste and See – building the congregation through Open the Book and the work of the Youth and Children’s Chaplain. Also strengthening the links with the other churches in the Mission Area by attending more family friendly events and services where they are available.

(Tracey White MA Youth Leader & Esther Andrews Youth and Children’s Chaplain)

3. Priority Three: Developing ‘Pilgrimage – journeying with God’ within the MA

This is our, longer term, five-year plan and the emerging result of our visioning exercises carried out throughout 2019. It is a vision which inspires church attenders and members of the community alike. In its fullest form, of offering residential retreats to visitors to the Vale, it is an aspirational target; yet vital as our prayerful vision of ourselves and our potential. As such this vision for spiritual tourism is, for us, becoming a guiding ethos and empowering shared identity as we attempt to relearn the mission of God within our context and become ever more determined to make necessary decisions in line with our diocesan commitment to church growth.

(Richard Carter MA Priest)

Jesus said “Follow me” What plants a seed in the mind of a prospective pilgrim? Where does the yearning stem from to commence an often long and arduous physical and/or spiritual journey into the unknown? Allowing that seed to grow into reality takes acceptance and courage to face what lies ahead.

Pilgrimage is all about “finding oneself” or getting to know the Self better. Our Mission Area currently offers several courses to encourage and enable church and non- church members to explore and enhance their spiritual self. Theology for Life may ultimately lead to Ordination, a lay role, or purely an enrichment process both academically and spiritually for the participant. A less formal version is a new Discipleship course open to anyone who may wish to develop their own spiritual journey and deepen their faith, learn about the Christian message or explore the possibility of Confirmation.

Pilgrimage is also about finding others; new friends from far and wide. Within our Mission Area rarely a week passes without some sociable gathering aside from our regular and widespread church services. Recently we have celebrated the restoration and hanging of St. Peter’s bells, enjoyed a café church service (any excuse to indulge in cakes and scones) and introduced a Book Club for those dark winter nights. There was summer supper and cinema, soupy lunches, Pet Blessings, Organ Recitals and Pancake Races through town. So many ongoing opportunities to make new acquaintances and friends.

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Pilgrimage discovers new places; sacred places, scenic places, poignant places With St. ’s Jesuit Spirituality Centre (see https://www.pathwaystogod.org/org/st-beunos) to the North and a chain of beautiful churches leading south, walking a Pilgrim Trail draws together an historically poignant picture of ancient pilgrim journeys through a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rural churches with few regular services welcome a new role as a Pilgrim Church with their doors open to visitors, walkers, wanderers and invisible saints. The potential exists and excites to develop ‘tourism’ to these Sacred Places of the Vale.

Pilgrimage encounters hardships and joys As members of our Mission Area we journey together in sharing those times of sadness and joy; not only amongst church members, but also far and beyond into our local communities. Support in our schools is developing rapidly as pupils gain confidence in their Chaplain. The recently bereaved, housebound and care home dwellers receive comfort, communion and a listening ear through the strengthening support of our Pastoral Network and youngsters of that awkward age meet, eat and chat at a weekly TeenScreen. Summer Ordinations in St. Asaph was the most joyous of occasions with twelve Diocesan Ordinands sharing their day in a Cathedral overflowing its capacity with well-wishers.

Pilgrimage is a journey into deeper prayerfulness. We offer our prayers to God in our churches, homes, out in the countryside and in all places relative to our daily lives. Sometimes our lives are cluttered with too many interventions to enable our prayer to be pure. Last year, in the deep and spiritual peace of Church, a small group came together to share the silence and solitude of Christian Meditation. Learning to abolish a crowded mind, to master complete stillness and silence, we learn to understand ourselves more completely, nurturing a greater understanding of others and ultimately our rootedness in God. The group now meets bi-weekly with occasional Saturday teachings.

Pilgrimage is an unmissable adventure in the journey of life. When we undertake any form of Pilgrimage, regardless of how carefully the planning might be, we can never know the actual pathway until it has been travelled. Sometimes we take a wrong turn and need to retrace, or the wrong turn leads to a better place. It’s only upon reflection that we know if we made the right decision as our earthly journey has no pre-arranged destination. We pray that whichever road we take, it will bring us step by step to a final and glorious destination with our Lord.

All you have to do is to follow the pathway of application to a new life and very warm welcome to the Dyfryn Clwyd Mission Area!

(Debbie Sawyer Pastoral Assistant)

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In order to develop an ethos of pilgrimage in terms of spiritual growth in the MA, we wish to:

• look for further opportunities to introduce small groups for study, prayer, and formation; • promote the ethos of pilgrimage in preaching; • be alert for vocations, both lay and ordained, and encourage the discernment process; • continue to provide lay training, such as that already given to the pastoral assistants.

(Stuart Evans MA Priest, Judi Gait Lat Reader Minister)

• Pursue membership with The Guild of Health (see https://gohealth.org.uk) as a wider resource and example of good practice.

(Richard Carter MA Priest)

We are, therefore, praying for a priest:

1. Who is able to demonstrate a desire to work thoroughly collaboratively as part of a developing Chapter of Clergy and shared, lay and ordained MT. 2. Who is able to demonstrate a high level of self-awareness and integrity as both a growing disciple of Christ and an effective collaborative minister sharing in Christ’s ministry. 3. Who has a heart for the traditional inherited church but also a determination for church growth in line with the identified priorities of the MA, and the anticipated diocesan rural strategy (to be published in September 2019). 4. Who fully participates within the diocesan church, and able to represent the MA to the diocese, and vice versa. Our MA has for a long time been an active contributor to the ’s Standing Committee. Which is currently being consulted on a developing diocesan rural strategy. This diocesan rural strategy is to be published towards the end of 2019 and will then need to be interpreted for our MA. 5. Who is not put off by having to drive around the beautiful country side of rural North Wales in order to find places which can be off the beaten track and difficult to follow directs to, especially in places where satnav can be unreliable.

...and, ideally, will complement our Ministry Team with these particular skills

The following skills are essential:

• An ability to joyfully engage with a variety of communities, whilst retaining a purposeful accountability to the MT and the development of the priorities of the MAC. • A leadership style which is compatible with this multi-parish context. The caricatured image of multi-parish ministry is one of spinning plates, or juggling a number of balls and managing to skilfully keep all the balls up in the air, or all the plates from falling to the ground. But what is necessary, at this time for us to advance in the mission of God as we identify it, is an ability to make connections and creative links so that the church life across the whole area grows in coordinated efforts and a sense of the integrated whole provision.

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• It would be advantageous if you were willing to become a Welsh language learner. • A willingness to participate in pastoral supervision as part of a clergy Chapter and lay and ordained MT. • The ability to lead worship in a variety of rural churches, each with various levels of local support and assistance. Along with this there is the essential need to find and remember various locations across the MA and have the confidence to drive to rural locations in order to provide a pastoral presence. • A praxis of lay ministry since the majority of our activities depend upon the recruiting, nurturing and supervision of lay volunteers. • A desire to work alongside the Diocesan Churches Inspector towards the maintenance of a number of historic church buildings, and their possible adaptation to contemporary needs.

The following skills are highly desirable but not essential:

• Someone with an experience of establishing, or leading and developing, a project which is in the area of spiritual retreat, spiritual tourism, Celtic spirituality, or spiritual healing (in line with The Guild of Health see https://gohealth.org.uk). • It would be advantageous, but not essential, to be a Welsh speaker. • Experience as a pastoral supervisee, or experience of pastoral supervision in line with the Association of Pastoral Supervisors and Educators (see https://www.ipsrp.org.uk). This desirable skill set would contribute to our goal of assigning specific ministries within the MA which are vocationally nourishing. • Experience of historical church buildings and their adaptation for contemporary use would be highly desirable but not the most important thing.

(Richard Carter MA Priest)

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