October 2020 Making Christ Visible

Sun 4th 8.00 am Holy Communion in 10.30 am Parish Eucharist

Tues 6th 10.00 am Holy Communion

Sun 11th Sun 25th 8.00 am Holy Communion 8.00am Holy Communion 10.30 am Harvest Praise 10.30 am Parish Eucharist

Tues 13th Tues 27th 10.00 am Holy Communion 10.00 am Holy Communion

Sun 18th

8.00 am Holy Communion Services for Fairfield at St Peter’s 10.30 am Parish Eucharist will be listed on the pew sheet Tues 20th 10.00 am Holy Communion

You can keep up with events and news on St. Peter’s Key our Facebook page: St Peters Church, Bengeworth October 2020 50 pence

and on our website: bengeworthchurch.co.uk St. Peter’s Church, Bengeworth

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For carers and health professionals

KEY PEOPLE Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: bengeworthchurch.co.uk bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; Vicar: that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his name to the suffering and the needy; Mark Binney 424235 for the love of him who laid down his life for us, Missioner: your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, Sarah Hewitt 429122 one God, for ever and ever. Parish Administrators: 446381 Amen. or [email protected]

Churchwardens: God of harvest, Dave Cockram 832676 gardener supreme, you place us at the centre, Marie Bomyer 421559 feed us, equip us and, Safeguarding: having provided for us, Heather Uncles 48936 look to a different harvest, a fruitfulness of lives Honorary Assistant Priests: in service to you, Julian Bomyer 421559 and others. Nick Wright 443310 God of harvest, feed us, PCC Secretary: Jane Richards 870567 prune us, PCC Treasurer: Michael Freer 45028 harvest us, Organist & Choir Director: Keith Biggin 710599 that our lives might bring glory to you. Verger: Pat Masters 41506 Amen Pastoral Care Group: Ros Harvey 48793 Gardening Team Coordinator: Pat Coombs 442797 https://www.faithandworship.com/ Almighty God, Harvest_Thanksgiving_Resources_and Parish Magazine Editor: _Prayers.htm#gsc.tab=0 you called Luke the physician, Marie Bomyer [email protected] 421559 whose praise is in the gospel, Bible Reading Fellowship Secretary: to be an evangelist and physician of the soul: by the grace of the Spirit Julie Archer 07899 923166 and through the wholesome medicine of the gospel, Church House Bookings Secretary: give your Church the same love and power to heal; Heather Uncles 48936 through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Communion Assistants: who is alive and reigns with you, Wendy Coles, Lucy Vincent-Daviss, Julie Archer, Brian Reid, Sandra in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Cockram, Shelagh Moore, Jane Richards, David Daniels, Peter Moore 2 19

PRAYER SHARE A LETTER FROM

the Bishop of Dudley

By faith 2020 has been such a strange year. Autumn has arrived, yet I gaze up to the heavens, Your word, in some ways the year never seems to have got started. I and know that lamp for our feet, feel I am still living with so many uncertainties, and trying to within its vastness reveals to us make plans on the constantly shifting sands of guidance and that this is your creation the stony ground advice based on ever evolving Covid realities. We are all planned and effected within eternity we often tread upon, learners in this, and pioneers too as we discover new ways where, stumbling By faith of being church. Tiredness and fatigue are very natural too in our weakness, I pluck an ear of corn, and sometimes the weight of it all can press very heavily. I’m we reach out a hand and know so encouraged by the prayerful determination in our churches to be to be people of for you to hold, within its symmetry hope, even in the darkest times. asking simply lies the chemistry of life, that you lead us Traditionally we celebrate Harvest at this time. Its been a tough year for farmers, the potential of creation within my hand once again with heatwaves, droughts and floods. Sowing seed in a wet winter was almost

to firmer ground, By faith impossible, and many grain harvests have been poor. Nevertheless lorries and toward that rock I listen for your voice, trailers filled with bales of straw and hay are testimony to the resilience and grit of upon which and know our farmers, who just had to ‘carry on carrying on’, pandemic or not. I salute all our journeying began, the whisper that I hear those who work on the land, who produce our food and tend our environment. where, in safety breathed a world into existence, Brexit will affect them all, though its still not clear how. They deserve our traditional we can rest awhile. yet listens to the prayer within my soul harvest thanks and prayers.

By faith We give thanks too for the harvest of Kingdom Values that have been so evident in I strive to do your will, parishes up and down our diocese this year, for every glimpse of love, every act of and know A prayer For the Christian community compassion, every shout for justice and every step into freedom. the door that I approach We are not people of fear: may lead me to shadows, May the Lord of the world, the Lord of the harvest, bless you and keep you. One we are people of courage. where my roll is to become your light God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. We are not people who protect our own By faith safety: I cling to your word, we are people who protect our and know neighbours’ safety. NEWS the strength that I receive, We are not people of greed: has it’s source within the love, we are people of generosity. that is at the centre of all things We are your people God, giving and loving, Funerals: https://www.faithandworship.com/ wherever we are, John Lock Har- whatever it costs vest_Thanksgiving_Resources_and_Prayers.htm#gsc Robert Cox .tab=0 For as long as it takes wherever you call us. Anne Pearson (Burial of Ashes)

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when the Foundation Stone was laid, perhaps starting with an exhibition involving the ORDINATIONS schools and local community . It will end on 4th September 2022 with an ecumenical service. Some events will be in Church House, marking its anniversary. John Fitzmaurice The date of the next full PCC meeting was confirmed for Monday 9th November, at 7.30 In a time of pandemic—this pm. year’s ordinations will be like no The meeting closed at 9pm with The Grace. other!

Candidates to be ordained as deacons and priests are usually ordained towards the end of DUTY ROTA June, around the time when the October 2020 church commemorated the ministry of St Peter. This year of course we were in the midst of lockdown an ordinations have to be postponed and rescheduled Sunday 4th Trinity 17 for the end of September. Isaiah 5: 1-7 Sally Ashton

This of course was a crushing blow to those who were hoping to be ordained Philippians 3: 4b -14 Jenny Law and who had been working toward this point for so long. Those who were Matthew 21: 33-46 Mark Binney hoping to be ordinand priest simply carried on their ministries as deacon, while Intercessions Anne Malpass those hoping to be ordained deacon were licensed as lay workers by Bishop Martin (on Zoom!) pending there ordination as deacons. Sunday 11th Harvest

The Ordination of Deacons will now take place at three separate services (three Readings to be confirmed David Daniels candidates at each) on Saturday 26 September at , while Isabelle Lambert the four priest candidates will be ordained in their parish churches the following Intercessions Marie Bomyer day. Prior to the ordination services the candidates will gather at Holland House for a socially distanced Retreat, this year led by the Revd Catherine Williams Sunday 18th Luke the Evangelist who is a Christian Writer, Retreat Leader & Spiritual Guide and a former Isaiah 35: 3-6 or selection secretary at Ministry Division. Acts 16: 6-12a Dave Cockram For the candidates themselves this has unsurprisingly been a really difficult 2 Timothy: 4 5-17 Marie Bomyer time. Their forbearance has been remarkable, and is indicative of the fabulous Luke 10: 1-9 Julian Bomyer people that they are. Some have just wanted to get on with it and be ordained Intercessions to be confirmed and are not too put out by the severe restrictions on the number of guests and others who can attend; others are saddened that this great gift of God to them Sunday 25th Bible Sunday cannot be celebrated in grand style. Either way they have committed Nehemiah 8: 1-4a (5-6) 8-12 * Marie Bomyer themselves to a patient waiting, while getting on with the- day today tasks of ministry that present themselves in this most extraordinary of times, and they Colossians 3: 12-17 * Richard Souther- can draw hope from the words of the writer of the letter to the Philippians: Matthew 24.30-35 Mark Binney Intercessions Sally Ashton I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. [Philippians 1.6] * = the set reading may not be on the pew sheet

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JUST A PCC MINUTE Do please pray for all those in any kind of ministry, lay and ordained, at this time, and especially for those to be ordained.

To be ordained Deacon: The meeting opened with a welcome and prayer. Apologies  Claire Billington to serve in and White Ladies Aston w Churchill were received, and then the minutes of the PCC meeting & Spetchley & &  Lindsey Coulthard to serve at St Stephen’s Barbourne, Worcester held in September agreed and signed.  Foluso Enwerem to serve at Top Church, Dudley The APCM will be on 4th October at 11.15am. There will be  Jon Evans to serve at Christ Church, Lye 3 vacancies for PCC members, elections for Churchwardens  Jess Fellows to serve at All Saints, Worcester and 2 Deanery Synod Representatives. The Electoral Roll will  Chris Henson to serve at St John’s, Kidderminster be updated in preparation for the meeting.  Rosie Moss to serve at St Nicholas, , Worcester  Kim Topham to serve in Clent and Hagley Finance  Carol Weston to serve in Brierley Hill After reviewing the accounts it was agreed to send an additional £2,000 towards the share to the diocese and then to consider a further To be ordained Priest: payment at the end of the month. It was unanimously agreed to use the Special John Martin Fund for 20/21 as a start for  Sarah Bardell serving in the benefice of Dudley  Victoria Barlow serving in St Matthias & St George, Astwood Bank and St the repair of the annexe roof and any related stonework. Matched funding may be Luke, Headless Cross available. Estimates will be needed before decisions can be made.  Jonny Gordon serving at Great Malvern Building Committee  Francis Moloney serving at Holy Trinity, Redditch The architect has recommended a review of the state of the spire by the steeplejacks. Dead pigeons have been found inside the spire. The aerial company will be asked to Sidesmen Rota investigate how the pigeons are getting into the spire. 4th October Brian Hemming & Tessa Bartlett

Church House Committee 11th October Pat Masters & Pat Bullman Following the work done, the pre-school have re-started. The PCC offered their appreciation and a vote of thanks to the members of the Church House Committee who 18th October Sandra Cockram & Janet Osborne have worked so hard to get this done, including giving of their time and labour! 25th October Sue Dorricott & Richard Southern

Safeguarding The use of the Parish Dashboard is recommended by the diocese. It can then be shared with the PCC, helping to make everyone aware whether we are up to date with Harvest safeguarding regulations. It is the PCC who are ultimately responsible for this. Our Harvest Service will be at 10.30 am on Sunday 11th

Wardens Items October. You are welcome to bring Due to a COVID-19 risk assessment, Fairfield Church are unable to use the hall and have offerings of fresh and tinned good to the asked to meet at 6pm on a Sunday in the church. This was agreed. The alternative service; everything received will go to the suggestion of using Church House was also offered. Food Bank at Caring Hands. 150th Anniversary The celebrations will go from 24th October 2021, marking the date

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HOPE WHEN ALL SEEMS LOST PRISONS SUNDAY

Ian Adams (CMS Spirituality Advisor)

nd - meditations on Hannah’s story Prisons’ Sunday, on the 2 Sunday in October, begins a week of prayer for all These times continue to be a challenge. Every potential glimmer of hope seems those affected by prisons and will be on to meet some cold dark dose of reality. It can be hard to be hopeful. 11th October in 2020. Each year, the Diocesan Criminal Justice Affairs Group It may be that the story of Hannah from the book of 1 Samuel has gifts for us in (CJAG) leads a service in the Cathedral – this endeavour. It’s an old story, describing events from over 3,000 years ago, this year, it will focus on the impact of and told ever since. So at times it will seem strange to us. Covid-19 on the criminal justice system. But we will recognise its central theme – of hope when all seems lost. Charmian Manship, from the CJAG said: “There are very real concerns that Hannah is one of two wives of a man called Elkanah. The other wife has human rights have been ignored in prisons during the pandemic. There is a children – and she taunts Hannah because Hannah has none. Hannah longs for huge backlog of court hearings with raised anxiety of victims, witnesses and a child. Hopes. Taunts. Disappointments. The pattern continues. For years. And defendants; prison visits have been suspended affecting family relationships if hope fades, that fading is not gentle; for Hannah it cuts ever more deeply. and prisoners are only let out of their cells for an hour a day with all education, So Hannah weeps, much of the time. She is, according to her husband, heart- social contact and gym facilities withdrawn. Most contact between probation sad. But Hannah does something. She presents herself to the Lord. and those on supervision has been by phone; and there is little mental health support.” Hannah goes to the temple. She makes herself present. And there Hannah gives voice to her despair. Her bitter weeping is her prayer. She will explain to the The diocesan Criminal Justice Affairs Group aims to offer a Christian perspective priest Eli that as a deeply troubled woman she pours out her soul to the Lord. and advises the Diocese on criminal justice matters. Members have experience She speaks, she says, out of great anxiety and vexation. of working within the criminal justice system, crown prosecution service, police, prisons, probation, youth justice, the parole board and defence lawyers as well We can surely each identify with this. as the Church. So here might be a first gift for us as we seek to live as hopeful people of God: It’s important that we name what we hope for; and express any sorrow You can find out more about the Criminal Justice Affairs Group on the diocesan surrounding the lack of hope’s appearing. Let’s be real. website at: https://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/your-faith/community- engagement/criminal-justice-affairs-group.php But then Hannah bargains with God. “If only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not KEEP THE DATE! forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death…” Postponed Annual Church Parochial Meeting will be held in Again the story becomes somewhat uncomfortable for us. This bargaining with church on Sunday 4th October at 11.15 am. See you there. God may not be something recommended. But at least Hannah has engaged in a form of dialogue. 6 15 The unfolding story shows: this bargain will come at great cost to Hannah. She will give up her son for service to the Lord (and with him possibly her hope for grandchildren.) But, in God’s grace, the bargain will bring about great gift to God’s people. (And in time Hannah will be blessed with more children– three sons and two daughters.) Perhaps this can be another learning for us: Could it be that our hope must not be solely for ourselves, but always have an outward momentum, a gift for others? How might our hopes bring some measure of healing to those around us? In Hannah’s story the realisation of hope comes through another. Eli the high priest sits at the door of the temple of the Lord. We feel for Eli. He is a man whose love for God and for neighbour is deep. Even if his sons’, despite being priests, is not. Eli is faithful. And he sits at the door of the temple. He notices the distraught woman. A conversation begins. Eli recognises what is happening. He blesses Hannah with words of peace, and with assurance that she is heard by God. Another gift for us from Hannah’s story: Whatever the state of our own hope, we can be prayerfully present to the hopes of others. We can be like Eli sitting at the door of the temple, looking out for those around us, encouraging them, praying for them, blessing them. So it may be that we can be, in God’s grace, agents for hope to become reality. Have you noticed how hopelessness can exert a hold over us? Well, Hannah takes the bold step of setting aside her sadness. Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer. Hannah eats and drinks again – she resumes normal life; she worships the Lord with Elkanah, they return home, and they know each other – they make love. Perhaps another lesson for us: Hope realised is not wholly external to us or independent of us. In God’s interesting ways we are involved in the bringing about of the hopeful change that we seek. Hannah let go of her sadness. What might be the bold and faithful step we take towards hope? The story continues with perhaps one of the most beautiful lines in the Old Testament: and the Lord remembered her.

14 7 What a gift that line might be for any of us who are hanging on in hope for funds to send back to the Diocese in something or for someone. You are not forgotten; you are remembered. Lahore who sourced and bought the food for 50 families for a month, and then And a child is conceived in due time. What is this due time? The story suggests transported it 130km to Renala Khurd it is the Lord’s time, in the waiting for which we are held in God’s memory, and where the community were. held in God’s love. You are not forgotten; you are remembered. This has all happened in five months! The child is born. Time passes; and Hannah is true to her word. She brings the weaned child to the temple to enter service there. And she leaves him there for The videos on Facebook show the the Lord. What a tough – by our understanding quite inappropriate – thing to community receiving the food boxes and do with a young child. Mansoor himself carrying them from where they were delivered to the But in the context perhaps we can begin to understand it. And the leaving of community via a donkey cart. the child for the Lord implies great trust in that Lord. The child whose name means something like “asked of God”, “heard of God” or even “name of God” Each box (see photo) contains: Wheat, will surely not be forgotten or ill-treated by the Lord into whose service he is cooking oil, rice, three kinds of daal, black returned. And for Hannah this is another act letting go – first of her sadness, grams, sugar, tea, salt, chilli and turmeric now of her child. powder, milk and soap. Each box weighing in total about 45kg! Another learning for us: If God is good, God can be trusted, and we can let go of our fears. My thanks go to God first and foremost for the inspiration and encouragement to In chapter 2 of 1 Samuel we come to Hannah’s bold prayer of rejoicing. There coax me to 'don't stop until you find a are echoes of the song in various of the Psalms, and it can be seen as way'. forerunner to Mary’s wonderful song of triumph in Luke’s Gospel, the Magnificat. Also to Neil Hewitt and Liz Booth for supporting me in this project; to Marie Mansoor with two of the packages and Hannah’s prayer is exultant! Rejoicing in the hope of God. Bomyer and Mike Freer of St. Peter’s the list of contents in each parcel “My heart exults in the Lord; Church who agreed to receive the money my strength is exalted in my God…” and send it to Lahore and to all who generously supported us with financial But its triumph is perhaps tainted a little by its taunt to the one who has contributions and prayer support. taunted Hannah. To Bishop Irfan, Rev Qaiser, Mr Zeeshan and Wilson in Pakistan and all the other “My mouth derides my enemies, people I don’t know about. because I rejoice in my victory… Finally, thank you to Mansoor who reached out and not once asked for help but The barren has borne seven, simply shared a story. It is now my pleasure to also say I've gained a whole but she who has many children is forlorn.” family of friends in Pakistan and a new long distance sister in Sunitavictor!

Like the football chant “You’re not singing any more”, to taunt the one who You can view the videos on Facebook at: taunted her is understandable, but again this may (or even should?) make us https://www.facebook.com/sarahjhewitt/posts/10158455109397819

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INTERNATIONAL EFFORT feel uncomfortable. Perhaps this is one of those moments when it helps to remember that this is a story Sarah Hewitt from the Bronze Age. It represents an early understanding of how God is and how God At the end of March, I started holding online wishes us to be. But if it is early it also rings services which were then live-streamed onto my true. We can easily find ourselves rejoicing Church Facebook page (Fairfield Church). During at the downfall of those who have lauded it the week of 13th April, we had an over us. A reminder of our call to be people unprecedented reach with almost 2000 views or of grace, mercy and peace. engagements. I don’t know why, I really wish I did, so I could have kept it up, but for that week The big theme of Hannah’s prayer is the something increased our audience exponentially. trustworthy character of God. All is held in, During that week, I also received over 40 friend and held by, God. requests from Christians all over the world. “For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, One such request was from a gentleman called and on them he has set the world. Mansoor Imran from Pakistan, who started He will guard the feet of his faithful ones…” sending me daily prayers through messenger. Through our conversations about the pandemic A final gift from Hannah’s story: and lockdown I ascertained that his community all our hopeful yearnings are to be seen in were unable to work and without the safety nets this bigger picture. And if we grasp this that we have here, such as a healthcare system reality anything becomes possible. and social services, many of the people were “He raises up the poor from the dust; nearing starvation. The community he lived in he lifts the needy from the ash heap, was in a dire situation. The families gather to collect the parcels to make them sit with princes Sending money to Pakistan is wrought with and inherit a seat of honour.” challenges, so there wasn’t an instant solution. I So this old story of Hannah continues to speak to us now, encouraging us to searched for a way forward and discovered Rev. Canon Phil Rawlings was the remain hopeful, rooted in God’s love and faithfulness even in the toughest of Manchester Diocesan link for the Diocese in Lahore. Maybe through Lahore we times. And with Hannah, with Eli and with the child Samuel, could locate Mansoor and help the community? So cutting a long story a bit may you discover the hope that is within you. shorter, that is what eventually happened. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he Phil introduced me to Bishop Irfan, who sent his Chaplain Rev. Qaiser, who sent has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Mr Zeeshan to find Mansoor and establish the need. Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, Unbelievably, they found Mansoor! and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Unbelievable because we had no address for him. That done, I set up a 1 Peter 1:3–5 GoFundMe campaign and in a very short period of time raised the necessary

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ARCHBISHOPS OF CANTERBURY homosexual individuals remained a controversial issue that threatened to divide the Anglican Communion (the worldwide association of Anglican churches). In 2003 Williams appointed a special commission to address the Rowan Williams matter. The commission also explored how Williams could more effectively implement his moral authority over the communion of churches. The issue, Rowan Williams was born June 14, 1950 and he however, continued to trouble the church and its archbishop in the following became the 104th archbishop of Canterbury. years, as the Episcopal church in America ordained homosexuals, including an Rowan Williams was born into a Welsh-speaking openly gay man as bishop, while the Anglican church in Africa staunchly family. After attending the Dyvenor Secondary opposed the practice. School, he entered Christ’s College, Cambridge, In 2008 Williams faced further controversy when he suggested that the English where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology; he was awarded legal system should adopt parts of Sharīʿah, or Islamic law, as a means to a doctorate of philosophy in theology by Wadham College, , in 1975. promote social cohesion. He argued that Muslims in might feel more After teaching at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, he held a series of comfortable addressing financial or marital issues in a Sharīʿah court than in a academic and ecclesiastical appointments, culminating in his professorship of secular court. Although Williams found support among members of the church divinity at Oxford (1986–92). hierarchy who recognized his right to raise the matter even if they disagreed He became bishop of Monmouth in 1992 and was enthroned as archbishop of with his opinion, others interpreted his remarks as undermining the long Wales in 2000. His nomination as archbishop of Canterbury in 2002 generated tradition of English secular law. significant controversy because of his liberal views, though he was supported However, Dr Williams will also be remembered as a peacemaker who used his by stalwarts of the church such as the Rev. Desmond Tutu. Williams opposed time in office to make an impact across the world. His visit to Zimbabwe in the Afghanistan War in 2001 and harshly criticized the Iraq War in 2003. October 2011 was widely commended after he openly criticised the human Upon assuming office, Williams faced numerous challenges concerning rights abuses of President Robert Mugabe's regime. He has also been praised interfaith relations and internal discipline. He made efforts to improve relations for his ability to engage publicly on difficult matters of religion, particularly with between Christians and Muslims, and he strove to maintain good ties with the the atheist author Richard Dawkins. Roman Catholic Church, meeting early in his reign with Pope John Paul II in In 2011 Williams was an officiant at the royal wedding of Prince William and Rome. Although warmly welcomed by the pope, Williams was cautioned by Catherine Middleton. He stepped down as archbishop of Canterbury in Rome over the consecration of homosexuals as bishops (Williams himself once December 2012, and that month it was announced that he would be made a life ordained an openly gay man). Under his stewardship, the worldwide Anglican peer. In January 2013 he became master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and community came close to splitting over the ordination of gay clergy. His term in shortly thereafter joined the House of Lords as a crossbench member. office has been overshadowed by the row over whether women should be appointed as bishops. A fellow of the British Academy since 1990, Williams published collections of articles, sermons, and poetry. He is the author of On Christian Theology (2000), Despite differences, Rome and Canterbury continued to work toward better Arius: Heresy and Tradition (2002), Writing in the Dust: After September 11 relations. Williams attended John Paul’s funeral in 2005—the first archbishop of (2002), and Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief (2007). Canterbury since the 16th century to do so—and he also attended the installation of Pope Benedict XVI. He visited Benedict at the Vatican in 2006, His full title is now: Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth in and they issued a declaration of friendship and continued dialogue while the City and County of Swansea recognizing important differences between the two churches. Sources: Within the the ordination and consecration of openly https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rowan-Williams https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13709883 10 11