Meithrin Gobaith Growing Hope www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi December / Rhagfyr 2015 Fellowship of Vocation: Called to care The inaugural Fellowship of Vocation conference took place in Tenby from 20th to 22nd November N arrival, this first cohort of to be announced: Marianne Omembers got together over tea Osborne, Saundersfoot; Sally when introductions were led by the Farah, Aberystwyth; Helen Co-ordinator of the Fellowship of Nicholls, Llanelli; Dorrien Vocation (FoV), Robb Wainwright. Davies, St Davids; Rhobert Bishop Wyn joined the group Pattinson, Carmarthen for dinner, following which he • The sub-groups will meet 6-8 made a brief welcome speech, times per year and will be able reminding those present that all are to determine their own agendas called and all ministry is important. • Members of the FoV and the On Saturday 21st, after Morn- local sub-groups will support ing Prayer and breakfast, members each other as they go through were provided with more detailed the discernment process, selec- information about vocations, tion process and afterwards Rt Revd David Willbourne ministry and what they can expect (whatever the outcome) from the FoV: Bishop at a venue and with a • Individuals, while being chal- • There will be two FoV meet- speaker of his choice lenged and energised by ings per year, each of which • Local fellowship sub-groups membership of the FoV, must be will be themed will be formed which will allowed to go at their own speed Flying the Flag • There will be one afternoon tea be run by chaplains, who are in response to God’s call. meeting per year, hosted by the currently as follows, with more Rt Revd David Willbourne, Assistant Bishop of Llandaff and previously in charge of the FoV in Dathlu gyda cherddoriaeth the Diocese of York for six years, was the keynote speaker. In his presentation Bishop David said that the purpose of the FoV was to work with those disturbed by God and that membership comprises sympathetic fellow travellers journeying on the road together. Quoting Archbishop Sentamu, he went on to say that ‘Christ did not give us a constitution, he gave us a meal’ and meals are all about shar- ing; after all, the unique selling point of the Church is to give the world Christ. Those who feel they may be called to lay or ordained ministry should, in the first instance, contact their parish priest. When Lyn Neville was lying in the Cancer Ward 10 at Withybush A film showing the highlights Hospital, he was told he would never have children. But to his and Côr Tre-groes yn diddori trigolion cartrefi Henllan a Blaendyffryn of Bishop David’s speech will wife Ann’s delight, they were wrong. And today, five-year-old Elly, mewn gwasanaeth arbennig i ddathlu’r cynhaeaf ddiwedd mis shortly be available on the minis- is their “little miracle”. Her collage of the Pembrokeshire flag won a Hydref. Diolch arbennig i bawb a ddaeth â diddanwch a boddhad try pages of the website at http:// school competition. Now she uses it to raise funds for the people i’r holl drigolion a hynny wrth ddiolch i Dduw am bopeth, ond yn stdavids.churchinwales.org.uk/life/ who saved her Dad’s life. So far she’s raised nearly £9,000. And enwedig gofal y staff ministry/ been photographed with some very important people . FOCUS ON AN ETHICAL CHRISTMAS – Pages 10 & 11 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, December 2015 Governing Body Social Responsibility: It was back to Lampeter for the September meeting of the Governing Body. Paul Mackness summarises the proceedings “It’s what we do” HE main agenda item that had everyone talking was the debate on TSame Sex Marriage. Following on from the Diocesan consultations it David Hammond-Williams reports from this year’s Diocesan Conference had been agreed to bring it to the floor of the Governing Body (GB) to be ONFERENCE is a socia- Davies, the Bishop’s Rural Affairs on the number of Easter commu- discussed. ble affair – a chance to catch Adviser, updated conference on nicants, the number of members As at our own Extraordinary Diocesan Conference, the debate was C up with your opposite numbers in the developments at Tir Dewi, the allowed from each benefice will both respectful and courteous with all sides listening in silence to those diverse parts of the vineyard. But it new diocesan helpline for farming now be based on average Sunday contributing. Interestingly, not one of the Bench of Bishops entered into has responsibilities too – big ones. families. attendance over three years. the debate, by mutual agreement. It was made clear from the outset that the So the decision to make Social And project manager Sue And the nomination of clergy vote that was to be taken was not a binding vote on the GB but would be Responsibility the focus of this Fletcher delivered success stories members of Standing Committee one that would inform the bishops for future discussion. There was no bill. year’s event seemed a natural one. from Plant Dewi’s work with is to be broadened to include all The result was as follows: And Bishop Wyn, in his Presi- parents struggling to cope, told clerics, not just Area Deans as at Bishops Clergy Laity dential Address, left us in no doubt. through the testimony of the mums present. Option 1 – No Change 1 21 28 “Social Responsibility,” he and dads who had benefited from Each diocesan team presents Option 2 – Same sex blessing 2 1 6 said, “is not a bolt-on accessory to its support. annual reports to conference, and Option 3 – Same sex marriage 3 26 32 Christian faith, no optional extra. The afternoon was devoted to these – plus Bishop Wyn’s address Although a majority was in favour of change in some form, there was It’s what we as Christians do. the business end of things. Two – can be found in full on the dioc- nowhere near the two thirds majority that would have been needed if the “This is the way others around us motions were passed which will esan website: http://stdavids. motion had been brought as a bill to be passed. see what following Jesus is about.” change the way parishes elect churchinwales.org.uk/information/ The presidential address looked again at the hoary chestnut of the Presenting the session, the Dioc- representatives to diocesan and diocconf Archiepiscopal See, this time from the perspective of the current incumbent, esan Social Responsibility Officer, deanery conferences, and eligi- Next year’s conference will Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan, and Canon Jeni Parsons, invited us to bility for election to Standing take place on Saturday October his observations of the role both as stand in front of our church, looking Committee. 1st at the University of Trinity St the person doing the job and also out. What do we see? Instead of using figures based David, Lampeter. as a Diocesan Bishop. It looks like Plenty should be the answer. this subject won’t die easily (watch And in many places, it is. There this space!); everyone seems to are credit unions across the diocese agree that changes of some sort offering affordable support to hard- need to be made, but nobody can up families. agree what they should be. There are charities, like the There was an emergency debate Alzheimer’s Society, raising aware- on the refugee crisis, brought ness of this “Cinderella disease”, as by the Bishops of Swansea and the society’s Marcia Vale described Brecon and St Asaph. It called for it. a practical response and members And there are church commu- deplored the current stance by the nities – clergy and congregations British Government and felt that – getting involved in the daily Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan the Church needed to be a voice that doings of those around them. called the politicians to think again. It was passed with an overwhelming “Success”, Revd Andy Herrick majority. (Penparcau) told us, “is measured There was also a report on the new training institution – the St Padarn’s by impact on the community.” Institute, which will take over all training at a provincial level. The Bishop And that can be huge. Time of Monmouth, who has responsibility for ministry, informed members of and again, speakers reported being the changes that were underway in training and ministry across the prov- told: “You saved my life”. ince, including changes to Licensed Lay Ministry broadening from Lay The same pressures of poverty Readership. and isolation can be found all too Further details of GB business and news are in Highlights available in often on the farm. Canon Eileen churches or online. process takes and lessen the effect the Bishop agrees that this is the that this has on parishioners. course of action to be taken. Church Closure and Redundancy In future, when it is proposed Full details of the new policy The Churches & Pastoral Committee hopes its new policy will mitigate the effect church closure that a church should close, upon the are on the diocesan website, and has on parishioners agreement of the CPC, the prelimi- further clarification can be sought naries will have to be completed from your Archdeacon or the OBODY likes closing a the diocese, has voted to merge the cal, artistic and archaeological prior to the final closure date of Secretary to the CPC, Revd Canon Nchurch, no cleric wants to be dates of church closure and redun- significance of the building. the church, which will then also Paul Mackness.