FREE AM DDIM TEULU ASAPH Esgobaeth Llanelwy of Rhagfyr/Ionawr December/January 2017

Trailblazing – 20 Years on

Arloesi – 20 Mlynedd yn Ddiweddarach

Inside An Equal Church? Knitting Christmas Igniting Tu mewn Eglwys Gydradd Gwau’r Nadolig Tanio Cymru Note from the Editor

Welcome to the December/ Plus, Gregory writes on how January edition of Teulu Asaph. the is blazing a trail by permitting communion for As you’ll notice it’s a bumper issue everyone – young or old – if they’ve with 20 pages full of your news, ideas been baptised. for Advent and information to help you with the move into Mission Areas. There are trailblazers too in work across the diocese to become The theme for this edition is Dementia Friends, to share the story I hope you enjoy this edition and trailblazing ministry and this is of Christmas through knitting and to I wish you a blessed Advent and evident in all sorts of places, through ignite the ambitions of young people joyful Christmas. the decades, across the diocese and in their faith. as we move ahead with 2020 Vision. January 2017 will mark 20 years of Thank you to all Teulu Asaph’s women – trailblazers in their contributors. It’s great to receive day - and will see the consecration so many offers of articles, photos karenmaurice@churchinwales. of the Church in Wales’ first female and ideas from across the diocese - org.uk / 07918 133420 Bishop on 21 January. please keep them coming!

In this Issue

3 Communion of all the Baptised / Cymun i bawb a Fedyddiwyd 4 4 Trailblazing - 20 Years of Women Priests 5 An Equal Church? 10 6 News / Newyddion 7 Dementia Friendly Churches 8 Advent Landscape / Tirwedd yr Adfent 9 Political Correctness – a Personal View 10 Taking a Bearing on our Journey to 2020 12 I want to be a….Pastoral Assistant! 13 Your Mission Area Questions Answered 14 500 years of Martin Luther 16 15 Schools / Ysgolion 16 Knitting Christmas 17 Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi 20 19 Resources / Adnoddau 20 Ignite Wales

Cover images: (top) The of the first women priests in in January 1997 with Archbishop . (bottom) St Asaph delegates to the MAE Cymru AGM with the new Bishop-elect of St David’s (centre, back).

© 2016. 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 February/March edition is 4 January. Please send copy and high quality images to Karenmaurice@ churchinwales.org.uk for inclusion. While we welcome all contributions, unfortunately we are not able to print everything we are sent.

2 | Teulu Asaph Bishop’s Word / Gair gan yr Esgob

Communion of Cymun i bawb a all the Baptised Fedyddiwyd

There are a few words which are at the heart Mae rhai geiriau sydd wrth wraidd y ffydd of Christian faith, and one such is “GRACE”. Gristnogol, ac un o’r geiriau hynny yw “GRAS”. Grace is God’s attitude towards us, the way Gras yw agwedd Duw tuag atom, y ffordd y in which God acts with us, and his gift of mae Duw yn gweithredu gyda ni, a’i rodd o transforming love. To be a Christian is to open gariad trawsnewidiol. Mae bod yn Gristion yn oneself to God’s grace: to seek it in prayer, to golygu agor eich hunan i ras Duw: ei geisio open the heart to scripture, mewn gweddi, agor y galon to act in love. All such i’r ysgrythur, a gweithredu actions are graceful. mewn cariad. Mae pob gweithred o’r fath yn rasol. One of the chief channels of grace in the Church is the celebration Un o brif sianeli gras yn yr Eglwys of the Sacraments. Baptism and yw dathlu’r Sacramentau. Cred Holy Eucharist are believed by Anglicaniaid fod Bedydd a’r Anglicans to carry God’s grace: Cymun Bendigaid yn gyfryngau i The official definition says that ras Duw: mae’r diffiniad swyddogol they are ‘outward and visible yn dweud fod y ddau sacrament symbols of an inward and invisible yn symbolau allanol a gweladwy o grace’. For years, however, the ras mewnol ac anweledig. Church has kept them apart, Am flynyddoedd, fodd bynnag, inserting all sorts of qualifications mae’r Eglwys wedi eu cadw nhw and ceremonies between them. ar wahân, gan fewnosod pob math Now, the Church in Wales has o gymwysterau a seremonïau made a pioneering decision, to join rhyngddyn nhw. Yn awr, mae’r the small group of Anglican Provinces bringing Baptism Eglwys yng Nghymru wedi gwneud penderfyniad arloesol i and Holy Communion back together again. ymuno â’r grŵp bach o Daleithiau Anglicanaidd sydd wedi dod â’r Bedydd a’r Cymun Bendigaid yn ôl at ei gilydd Over the next year, our mission areas will be moving to a unwaith eto. policy of ‘the Communion of all the Baptised’. Yes, even a baptised baby can receive Communion. We’re doing this Dros y flwyddyn nesaf, bydd ein hardaloedd cenhadaeth because we believe the sacraments belong together, and yn symud at bolisi o ‘Gymun i bawb a fedyddiwyd’. Gall that every Christian should have the chance to be open to baban a fedyddiwyd dderbyn y Cymun, hyd yn oed. God’s grace in every way.Of course, we respect parents’ Rydym yn gwneud hyn oherwydd ein bod ni’n credu bod y rights to choose, and also the legal requirement not to sacramentau yn perthyn i’w gilydd, ac y dylai pob Cristion give alcohol to under 5s. But the Eucharistic bread can be gael y cyfle i fod yn agored i ras Duw ym mhob ffordd. received, and we can be families together, receiving the Wrth gwrs, rydym yn parchu hawliau rhieni i ddewis, a Lord’s Supper at the Lord’s table. hefyd y gofyniad cyfreithiol i beidio â rhoi alcohol i blant dan 5 oed. Ond gellir derbyn y bara Ewcharistaidd, a Speak to your to find out more, or visit: http://www. gallwn fod yn deuluoedd gyda’n gilydd, yn derbyn Swper churchinwales.org.uk/faith/believe/admission-to-holy- yr Arglwydd wrth fwrdd yr Arglwydd. communion-pastoral-letter/ Siaradwch â’ch offeiriad am ragor o wybodaeth, neu ewch i: http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/faith/believe/admission- to-holy-communion-pastoral-letter/

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 3 Trailblazing - 20 Years of Women Priests

Margaret Harvey (second from right) with other women ordained priest in St Asaph Cathedral in January 1997 by Archbishop Alwyn Rice Jones.

January 2017 will be historic. As well as seeing the consecration of the Church in Wales’ first woman bishop, it also marks 20 years since the first women were ordained to the priesthood. Among the trailblazers was The Revd Margaret Harvey, the first deaconess in and among the first women to be made a priest in 1997. She offers some personal reflections.

January 1997 is the third in three service we were admitted as up to the final positive vote in GB, significant dates for me. My first women to ‘holy orders’. Richard Gillard’s hymn had become is 13 October 1968 when I was something of a theme song. made Deaconess at a service in In 1986 I moved to . As Parish Church. Bishop David well as being involved in ministerial ‘Brother, sister, let me serve you; Bartlett adapted very slightly the education in various roles Bishop let me be as Christ to you; 1662 ‘Ordering of ’. Alwyn asked me to be ‘-in- pray that I may have the grace to Charge’ of the parish of let you be my servant too.’ In 1968 ordination to the priesthood just six miles away. was not really on the agenda. For 2020 vision is challenging us to the women who had trained with me The years as deacon in charge of a develop this priestly serving church. and had become Parish Workers parish were very rich as well as being in the question was sometimes frustrating. The years of whether they would be allowed to debate and discussion, letters to the preach. That was never a problem Church press and votes at Governing Trailblazing Bishop and I began work in the parish Body (GB), were times of hurt and of Flint, straight in at the deep bewilderment. But they also brought Wales’ first end by leading and preaching at positive gifts. I think we all had to woman the Harvest Service in one of the ponder long and hard the meaning bishop churches in the parish that same of priesthood and the Eucharist and I elect, Canon evening! My family were ‘of Flint’. It am very grateful for that. We need to Joanna was a great privilege to to continue to develop, as priests, the Penberthy these people I knew and loved. creative thinking and action that went (left) will be on during those years. For me the consecrated My second date is 28 June 1980 most exciting part of that weekend as a bishop at Llandaff when Bishop Harold Charles in January 1997 was what happened Cathedral on 21 January ordained three of us to the the morning after ordination at the and enthroned in St David’s diaconate in St Asaph Cathedral. end of my first Sunday morning Cathedral on 11 February. Having been a Deaconess for Eucharist as a priest. As usual She spent four years in twelve years it was difficult to people gathered around the font to the Diocese of St Asaph explain to other people (and chat about the service. ‘We didn’t from 1989 – 1993 as non- myself!) what difference being think it would be different – but it stipendiary minister for a deacon would make. But I was!’ they said. What was different? and Llanfihangel- remember a sudden sense of Someone answered, ‘Now we yng-Nghwynfa and acceptance that I hadn’t realized understand. It isn’t your meal – it’s . I’d been missing as in the cathedral ours!’ During the years leading

4 | Teulu Asaph An Equal Church?

As the church prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of women priests with a special service at St Asaph Cathedral on 7 January, the Revd Canon Sue Huyton asks if the church today is really equal.

I own a badge that Bishop Gregory has says “God is an equal also set up a Diocesan opportunities employer. Commission to look at the Pity about the Church.” same issues. Is that still a reasonable response? Over the last On 7 January there thirty-six years, all three will be a service in the orders of ministry have Cathedral to celebrate been opened to women in twenty years of women in our Church. Some might the priesthood. It marks say that the battle for a step on the journey, equality is over. Legally not arrival. But it is worth speaking, it is. celebrating.

Sue Huyton with Archbishop Alwyn Rice Jones So we might assume that subject to the same There may be good reasons for these selection criteria, trained to the facts and there is wide variety between same standard, there might now be the . But is it surprising that Join the many women in senior positions in young women are not attracted to the Church in Wales. Not that most Celebration ministry in our church? There are few women, or most men for that matter, role models; and we know that they enter the ministry as a ‘career’, but play a part in drawing people to think as a percentage of the total, women about their vocation. Sometimes there might naturally take some positions of are underlying attitudes that need to leadership. be challenged. The ‘old boys network’ is still a force, acknowledged or not. But this is not so. The Todd Report, There are those in this diocese, as in presented to Governing Body last all the others, who do not accept the year, showed that the Church priestly ministry of women. For the The Bishop of , in Wales has gone backwards in most part they are gracious in their Rachel Treweek (above) will this regard. Despite the election of attitudes to us, but it is not true in preach and preside at St Asaph Canon Joanna Penberthy as the first every part of our province. Cathedral on 7 January at 11am woman bishop in Wales, there are to mark 20 years of women fewer women in senior posts than After the Todd Report a new group priests. A warm invitation is before. In some dioceses clergy was set up to monitor the status of all extended to anyone to attend. are overwhelmingly male, some women throughout the For catering purposes (there is Cathedrals hardly ever use a female Church. MAE Cymru is lunch afterwards) please confirm president at their main Sunday a voice for inclusion. attendance with your Mission Eucharist, and a higher percentage Area Leader. of men are selected for Stipendiary Ministry. What is MAE Cymru?

Mae Cymru supports diversity and equality in the Church in Wales. To join, visit http:// stasaph.churchinwales.org. uk/life/steering-groups/ engaging/maecymru/ A recent St Asaph Mae Cymru meeting

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 5 News / Newyddion

Iris Prize Film Festival A special film to highlight LGBT+ Iris Prize Outreach and the Big Lottery issues and the Church in Wales will Fund Wales. The film was made on be launched at a film festival in St location in and Asaph Cathedral on 6 December at features people from across the 7pm. All One in Christ will be one of Diocese of St Asaph. Admission to six short films shown at the Telling the film festival is free. RSVP jamie@ Our Stories Film Festival organised irisprize.org. or register at by Changing Attitude Trawsnewid https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/all- Agwedd Cymru in partnership with one-in-christ-tickets-29278645216 Property Summit The Diocese of St Asaph has held greatest benefit for the mission of the Church in Wales’ first property the church, ensuring they are fit summit. Held in the Old Schoolroom for purpose for 2020 and beyond. in Llanarmon yn Iâl in November, Delegates were encouraged to think it brought together Mission Area about the vision for their property representatives with an interest in assets. The output of the summit will churches, parsonages, schools, be contained in a further section of the church halls and land. It considered 2020 Vision Toolkit. how to organise buildings for the David Hanson MP Parliamentary Praise

The work of churches across the Diocese of St Asaph has been referenced in Parliament by two MPs. On Thursday 13 October, the MP for Delyn, David Hanson mentioned the work of churches in Holywell to support Escape to Egypt refugees in the Jungle Camp in Calais. Later that day, the MP for South, A Christian Aid Refugee Walk from To coincide with the walk, the Susan Elan Jones praised the LGBT Bethlehem to Aifft (Egypt) will end Church in Wales is organising chaplaincy set up by the Revd Sarah with a special service at St Asaph #RefugeesWelcome, a conference Hildreth-Osborn. You can find the Cathedral on 15 December at 7pm. asking what’s causing the refugee references in Hansard Volume 615 The will welcome crisis and what are churches in Number 42, page 445. walkers who will have covered 140 Wales, Europe and beyond doing miles since starting on 5 December. to help? #RefugeesWelcome will The sponsored walk is designed as take place at St Collen’s Church, a public show of Wales’ support for on 12 December. Details refugees. from lisamacrow@churchinwales. org.uk / 029 2034 8252.

Susan Elan Jones MP

6 | Teulu Asaph Dementia Friendly Churches

There’s a Mix’ - a gathering place for people Experts in the field will growing with dementia, carers, and others. be there, like Professor movement In the Aberconwy Mission Area the Bob Woods (left), to help Revd Noel Carter is working with me in director of the Dementia developing dementia ministry. Services Development churches Centre at Bangor become University, Sarah Thorpe dementia What do dementia friendly (right), the Dementia friendly. churches do? Support Officer, Diocese Bob of , and others. Friedrich (above), a recently The answer is many things and there You’ll learn from them retired Episcopal priest from has been considerable creativity, a and be able to ask Boston, Massachusetts, very good thing. They: questions. • hold dementia friendly services licensed in this Diocese and • train greeters to understand the After that day, I’ll be available to your a PhD student at Bangor needs of people with dementia church in taking next steps. University, explains what this • visit and provide respite for carers means and how you can get (who so easily become David Hanson MP involved. overwhelmed and lonely) The Revd Dr Robert Friedrich is • provide transportation an Episcopal priest from Boston, The spiritual life of people with • host memory cafes Massachusetts, USA who has dementia has become an exciting • visit people with dementia in served as a , consultant, topic for me and the subject of my residential care homes, sometimes and hospice chaplain. As PhD research. While interviewing providing worship opportunities a chaplain he developed a priests from the Dioceses of St Asaph • provide dementia awareness and particular interest in the spiritual and Bangor, I discovered a movement further training lives of people with dementia, for helping churches become • simplify signs in church working especially with their dementia friendly. • and more recall of music and prayers and liturgy. He noted the positive I also found dementia friendly effects on quality of life of both happenings in our Diocese - What can you do? patients and caregivers. and Buckley with memory cafes, I recommend taking the opportunities and Flint where the Revd Brian to learn more about the types of Harvey helped the achieve dementia, the needs of people with it the Alzheimer’s Society designation Find out more…. and the needs of their carers. Look for of ‘Working to Become Dementia where you and your church might help. Friendly.’ The parish church in Flint is To book a place on the course hosting a twice a month ‘Monday Developing Dementia Friendly Join us on 14 March 2017 for Churches with Bob Friedrich, a Diocesan Training Day at Llangollen on 14 March, contact Sian Pavilion: ‘Developing Dementia Connelly on 01745 582245 / Friendly Churches.’ Sianconnelly@churchinwales. org.uk

If you want to become a Dementia Friend, contact the diocesan engagement officer Sarah Wheat: sarahwheat@ churchinwales.org.uk

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 7 Advent Tirwedd Landscape yr Adfent

Advent is the time when we await the birth of God’s Yr Adfent yw’r adeg pan fyddwn yn disgwyl geni Son. For the Church, Advent Sunday marks the Mab Duw. I’r Eglwys, mae Sul yr Adfent yn ddechrau beginning of a new year – a new unfolding of the blwyddyn newydd – ac adrodd o’r newydd hanes y Nativity story of the coming of God into the world. Geni am ddyfodiad Duw i’r byd. Baban bach a bregus He was small and vulnerable, as all newborn babies oedd, yn union fel pob baban newyddanedig arall, ond are, but in this coming the whole landscape of the gyda’i ddyfodiad, byddai holl dirwedd y byd yn newid world would be changed for those with eyes, ears i’r sawl â llygaid, clustiau a chalonnau i weld, clywed and hearts to see, hear and feel the outpouring of a theimlo’r cariad a oedd yn ymarllwys drwy gnawd love in the human flesh of Jesus Christ. dynol Iesu Grist.

Advent is also a time when we Mae’r Adfent hefyd yn gyfle i await Christ’s second coming. edrych ymlaen at ailddyfodiad We are reminded that our Crist. Cawn ein hatgoffa nad landscape is not fixed; rather, it rhywbeth sefydlog mo’r dirwedd continues to change as God’s o’n cwmpas. Yn hytrach, mae’n purpose is worked out in our newid yn barhaus wrth i Dduw roi midst, until that time when Christ ei gynlluniau ar waith yn ein plith, comes again, in glory. hyd yr adeg honno y daw Crist drachefn, mewn gogoniant. Advent means ‘coming’, and landscape is all that we see Ystyr ‘Adfent’ yw ‘dyfodiad’ ac around us – the colours, shapes mae ‘tirwedd’ yn golygu popeth a and textures of our homes and gardens, sea and welwn o’n cwmpas – lliwiau, siapiau a gwead ein cartrefi mountains, and villages. The word ‘landscape’ a’n gerddi, y môr a’r mynyddoedd, trefi a phentrefi. Nid may bring to mind well-laid-out gardens in country sôn yr ydym ond am erddi wedi’u dylunio’n ofalus o houses, yet it means so much more. Landscape can gwmpas plastai, ond rhywbeth llawer mwy. Gall tirwedd be gentle and peaceful; it can offer a sense of awe and fod yn esmwyth a thangnefeddus, gall ysgogi arswyd neu wonder, or it may bring about uncertainty and despair. ryfeddod, neu gall greu ansicrwydd a gofid.

In this way, landscape touches our feelings and affects Gall y dirwedd, felly, gyffwrdd â’n teimladau ac effeithio the story of who we are, what we do, where we live and ar hanes yr hyn ydym, yr hyn a wnawn, y lle rydym yn all we believe. byw â’r cyfan a gredwn.

The weeks of Advent are often very busy, and if we are Mae wythnosau’r Adfent yn aml yn brysur iawn, ac os not careful the landscape around us can easily become na fyddwn yn ofalus, gall y dirwedd o’n cwmpas yn a blur of noise, crowds and busy preparation. We may hawdd gael ei chuddio â niwl swn, tyrfaoedd o bobl then miss the beauty of creation’s landscape – of all that a phrysurdeb paratoi. Gallwn wedyn golli golwg ar is made by human hands, and of the land, the sea and brydferthwch tirwedd y greadigaeth – holl waith dwylo the sky. pobl a’r tir, y môr a’r awyr.

Reproduced from Advent Landscape by the Revd Janet Fletcher, published by the for Advent 2016. For the full version visit: http://bit.ly/2fVhnzQ. St Asaph Cathedral has produced a ten week Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Bible Study. Visit: http://stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/cathedral/

8 | Teulu Asaph Political Correctness - A Personal View

As the word meant legally women’s disqualified but now means priestly to make unfit or render unsuitable. Applying ministry this to everyone with celebrates a disability doesn’t 20 years take account of the myriad of and new different reasons for the issue. My forms preference is to say either people phrase was used she would of trailblazing ministry with a disability or people with wince, as it always bought back enlighten our assumptions different abilities. painful memories, but she would of the world, Martin Joy, accept it was a normal part of conversation. However in a work Management Trainer (above) In the past I have been told that this is nothing more than semantics. In or closer relationship she felt she offers a personal view on some ways it is but what I am trying should be able to ask for the term how and why we should to say is that we should always put not to be used without necessarily ensure we include everyone. the person first and then consider giving all the background any limitations they may have. information. ‘Political correctness’ is a term that originated in the USA, but thanks to As a management trainer I used to A dramatic example which in the overuse and misuse by the media start each morning by saying “Good end was very easy to remedy as in the UK it is now regarded in a morning Ladies and Gentlemen”. all I had to say each morning was very negative manner. This is a One course was scheduled for two “Good morning everyone”! pity because the original intention weeks and at the end of the first day was nothing more than to try and one of the participants asked me I believe that we should use political stop unwanted words and phrases not to refer to her as a lady. I agreed correctness not as a way of treading being used that might offend certain not to use the word but inside I was through eggshells worrying what groups or individuals. thinking that this was a normal term term we should use, but by reacting used frequently and I could not correctly when challenged. After all There have been many examples understand the request. At the end we can never know exactly what of certain words that appear of the first week she told me that may offend someone but if we can commonplace but nevertheless during her teens every time her step act positively when challenged seem to have had a disproportionate father said he was going to treat her then any potential offence can be effect on an individual. For example, as a lady it resulted in sexual abuse. minimised. I dislike using the word ‘disabled’ to describe everyone who may not Her feeling was that if she went to Find out more…. fit the norm. In the 15th century the theatre or elsewhere and the Martin Joy spent 20 years as a management trainer specialising in diversity/equal opportunities. He is running two training course in 2017: Including Everyone on 9 May and Being Fair in Making Appointments on 13 June. To book, email: Sianconnelly@ churchinwales.org.uk www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 9 Taking a Bearing on

be exercised! The long agenda did Perhaps the most useful part of the More than 400 people arrived appear quite daunting, but, following day, in terms of where we go from for St Asaph’s annual diocesan Bishop Gregory’s Presidential here, was the Interactive Session. conference, part business Address, the business side of things Breaking into Mission Area groups, (it has to be done!) seemed less meeting and part inspirational we discussed people’s fears (which tedious than in previous years, with rally. The venue was new this are many) and drew out of these some lively presentations. some realistic hopes and plans for year, St Joseph’s Catholic the immediate future, as our Mission and Anglican High School in For delegates still in any doubt about Areas become a reality. Wrexham, which provided the reality of a chance for all the new Mission Areas, Mission Areas to meet and Conference work as groups. Using the was clear theme Taking a bearing on on diocesan plans for the our journey to 2020 it was an future. We opportunity to take stock of were reminded progress so far and plan for the by Bishop future. The Revd Ginny Burton Gregory that St from Aberconwy Mission Area Francis wasn’t reflects on the day. asked to re- arrange Christ’s Church, but to My first impression of this year’s Conference delegates visiting the marketplace. conference was that the age-profile build it. As we of delegates seemed to be lower struggle with than I remember. It was good, too, structural changes, we must be clear Conference closed after an engaging to see the Youth Forum involved in that we too are in the business of and lively act of worship led by the getting us to where we needed to building God’s Kingdom. Our role Cedewain Mission Area, which was be – which, in this excellent venue for as a Church which engages with hijacked by the PCC of Llandibley our conference, was the school gym. communities across North and Mid with their own slant on the Mission Anxious delegates need not have Wales and beyond, was affirmed Area toolkit! Following Bishop worried, however. It was our minds, with the presentation of the Diocesan Gregory’s closing thoughts and rather than our bodies, which were to Offering to the charity Blind Veterans, blessing, we had another opportunity before we paused for lunch. to visit the huge variety of stalls and information stations in the Christian Lunch was brought to us, heralding Marketplace. a transformation of the gym into something resembling a trading All in all, a day among friends, old floor, as delegates swapped tuna and new, which held the promise sandwiches for cheddar cheese, of exciting things to come in the producing some lively exchanges and Diocese of St Asaph! Diocesan Secretary, Diane McCarthy a novel way of getting to know one introducing the Diocesan Annual Report. another!

10 | Teulu Asaph on our Journey to 2020 Taking a Bearing Catch up on the Diocesan Offering Bite Sized St Asaph

Conference More than £8,000 has been raised through the Diocesan Offering for Blind Veterans UK. The based charity offers support to ex-servicemen and women with sight loss. This will be used to build an activities shed for the woodland garden. Thank you to all churches that raised money for the diocesan offering. Brian Bell and Huw Lloyd who feature in the conference film I did that. A new book explaining the life, work and people of the Church in Wales in The two films shown at the North and Mid Wales was launched at conference – Mark Yaconelli’s the Diocesan Conference. Bite Sized reflection on his residency and I St Asaph is produced by the Diocese did that three good news stories of St Asaph to highlight the diverse from around the Diocese are range of activities, events, services, available online at http://stasaph. Blind Veterans UK receiving a cheque schools, buildings and spaces looked churchinwales.org.uk/life/diocesan- for the Diocesan Offering. after by churches across the area. conference-2016/ Voting for the 2017 The book features children from You can also listen to Bishop offering took place at church schools in and Gregory’s full Presidential Address the Conference. The St Asaph, as well as at http://stasaph.churchinwales.org. successful charity is Ty groups in Pensarn and Llangollen uk/life/diocesan-conference-2016/ Croeso, which provides overnight and tourist attractions such as the presidential-address-bishop-gregory/ accommodation and daytime support ‘Marble Church’ in , to the families of children admitted to the William Morgan Bible in St Asaph Information about the hopes, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Cathedral and the Shrine Church of challenges and plans from each St Melangell, the only Romanesque Mission Area are being collated and It is located in the grounds of shrine in Europe. will be circulated shortly. the hospital, funded entirely by charitable donation and supported The book includes information on how Details of the 2017 diocesan budget by a team of volunteers. churches are moving into Mission and the Mission Area/Parish Share Areas and reaching out to better serve will be circulated shortly. Families come from across North and the needs of their local community. Mid Wales and often further afield. Parents of very sick children are under Copies of Bite Sized St Asaph are great stress and the facilities provide a available in local churches or by home from home environment. contacting the St Asaph Diocesan Office on 01745 582245. Further information on raising money for the 2017 Diocesan Offering will be sent to treasurers shortly.

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 11 I want to be a…. Pastoral Assistant!

PAs should work within clear and Is this a career path to agreed delegated responsibilities and know who to turn to for support and ordination? to whom they are accountable. Pastoral Assistants carry out important work as part of the Shared How do I become a As part of our series looking at Ministry Team and this is a vocation the new forms of licensed and Pastoral Assistant? in its own right. Some of the skills commissioned lay ministry required overlap with other forms of ministry including ordained ministry. for the Church in Wales, the Mission Areas should discern the need for PAs as part of their shared While some PAs find their vocation Diocesan Training Officer, ministry teams, and may find the continues to grow and change, others Richard Hainsworth explains Living and Learning course valuable find their calling fulfilled in their role what a pastoral assistant is in doing so. Mission Areas should as a PA. and the training required. work out how PAs might minister across the area, either in a specific Why I became a Pastoral A Pastoral Assistant is called community or more widely, and how to serve others by seeking they will support each other and other Assistant their wellbeing and wholeness, members of the team. supporting the pastoral ministry of Linda Mathias (left) the Church. They are commissioned became a Pastoral by a Mission Area to serve with What sort of training is Assistant at St clergy and other ministers as part of involved? Asaph Cathedral the Shared Ministry Team. five years ago Mission Areas can arrange their after her husband What sort of work do own training for PAs. The Living died. She sees and Learning Course includes a six the role as an they do? week training course in Pastoral extension of the Listening that may be used or command to ‘Love our neighbour’. A Pastoral Assistant (PA) undertakes similar training can be created by She is licensed to take communion a range of activities according to local the Mission Area team. Mission to people who can’t get to a service need and their gifts. These might Areas will need to provide additional at the Cathedral, visiting people in include: training in any specialisms that the their own home or in nursing homes. • Visiting the sick or others in PA will undertake, such as baptism She also visits those who are recently pastoral need preparation. bereaved offering comfort, prayer and • Taking communion to those who a friendly listening ear. Linda said: cannot come to church services PAs should be commissioned by “Sometimes my role is just listening • Preparing couples for marriage the MA Leader in an act of public to people. Often they just want to • Preparing families for baptism worship. talk and appreciate having someone • Follow up care after funerals other than family in whom they can • Offering a ministry of listening and/ confide.” or prayer

12 | Teulu Asaph I want to be a…. Your Mission Area Pastoral Assistant! Questions Answered

In Teulu Asaph we’re If a particular Church is named, then How can I make sure addressing some of your funds left will be restricted for the use questions relating to the move and benefit of that particular Church. that my legacy is used from Parish to Mission Areas. If that Church has closed, then the for mission and ministry Executors of the will, will then have We’ve had lots of questions discretion to give the funds to a across the Mission Area? connected to legacies, assets charity that has the same or and money left to similar objects to the You should ask your legal adviser a church or parish original, so the Mission to make any legacy payable to the in a will. Tracey Area can still benefit Mission Area Conference. White, the diocesan from the legacy left. funding officer How do I ensure any provides some Unless specifically referred to in the gift I make will go to my answers. will - that funds can church? only be used for What happens if the maintenance If you specify the name of the church my will says ‘for of the building, for in your will then the gift will go to that example - the funds church. the benefit of the can be used by the Mission Area for any parish of X’ or ‘for general purposes the benefit of the in furtherance of its Find out more…. objects. Church of St Y’? To contact Tracey, email It may be that the Traceywhite@churchinwales. We would always suggest Executors (or their org.uk that legacy clauses in wills solicitors) ask to see evidence are left as open as possible, but the that the former parish or parish Details of the Diocesan Decree merging all current parishes church was merged into the Mission Registrar are at http:// into a Mission Area means that the Area and, in this case, the Mission stasaph.churchinwales.org. Mission Area will be the ‘substitute’ Area Conference should contact the uk/people/registrar/ parish for the former parish which no Diocesan Registrar so that a copy longer exists as it will incorporate the of the Decree forming the relevant The 2020 Vision Toolkit geographical area where that former Mission Area can be sent as proof. part 2 has now been parish used to be. sent to all churches It is always recommended that proper and is available on legal advice is sought when making a line at www.stasaph. If you have a question about will, but if any Mission Area requires churchinwales.org.uk Mission Areas, please any specific wording to be suggested /life/2020-vision/tool email it to karenmaurice@ to potential doners, please contact kit-part-2/ churchinwales.org.uk the Diocesan Registrar.

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 13 500 Years of Martin Luther

Teulu Asaph often carries news about Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas 2020 Vision, a title that reminds us that the Cranach the Elder Church in Wales is rapidly approaching an important anniversary. As James Harris, Vicar of Mineva and writes, elsewhere in Europe an even more significant event is going to be commemorated in 2017.

Five hundred years ago Martin Luther whom we share so much in common, and its legacy. English language began a train of events that came it will be helpful to remember that information can be found on the to be known as the . In Brexit is a political process, not website https://r2017.org/en/ Britain and Ireland we may not want an ecclesiastical one. 2017 will • On 21 February the Nordic to make a fuss about this. Maybe we be an opportunity for us to get to Church in will host a see the Reformation as creating for us know churches that face many of travelling exhibition about Luther a negative, sectarian legacy. Some the challenges that we do, and to and the Reformation and will Anglicans will see this as a destructive celebrate together and learn from each organise a programme of events period, a time when the baby was other. and services around it. thrown out with the bathwater. Others • Those interested in getting to may want to say that our Reformation Celebrations and know Lutherans personally will owed more to Calvin than to Luther find a warm welcome at the anyway. Also, many Anglicans like to resources Anglican Lutheran Society, which stress how our church steered its own organises informative, friendly distinctive course – the ‘via media’ • The German Protestant conferences and occasional ( a shorthand for midway between Church (Evangelische Kirche in summer schools http://anglican- Roman Catholicism and reformed Deutschland) is leading the many lutheran-society.org/ Protestantism). commemorations of Luther’s work

Nevertheless, the Reformation was one of the great events in the history of the Western Church, indeed in the history of Europe and beyond. It had a positive legacy as well as a negative one. It shaped our destiny too, whether we like it or not.

A range of events will take place to mark this anniversary in 2017. Recent political upheavals in the UK make Above and top: The Revd James Harris participating as observer for the Celtic Anglican these events timely. For those of Churches at a meeting of the Meissen Commission, which develops ecumenical co- us who fear that last June’s Europe operation between the German Lutheran and Reformed Churches (EKD) and the Church referendum result could lead to us of England. The meeting took place in Munich in September and celebrated 25 years of ecumenical partnership between the EKD and the . turning away from neighbours with

14 | Teulu Asaph Schools / Ysgolion

10 Years of Head Teacher Commissioning

Shared Faith New head teachers have been commissioned for two church schools by the Bishop of St Asaph. In September, Spencer Williams was commissioned as the head teacher of VA School at St Mary’s Church, Minera. In November, Jamie Tennant was commissioned Revd James Harris as vicar and chair as head teacher for Hawarden of governors at Minera VA School with Village Church School. Spencer Williams and Bishop Gregory.

A special service marked the tenth anniversary of the joint Church Christmas Card Competition Foundation School of St Joseph’s world. This year’s winner will be Catholic and Anglican High in announced on 8 December. Last Wrexham. The service was held at year, four year old Cian Jones from the school and was attended by all Ysgol y , Whitford delighted the pupils, staff, the Bishop of St Asaph, judges with his effective depiction the Rt Revd and of the three wise men following the the Bishop of Wrexham the Rt Revd star, using only colourful potato Peter Brignall. Also present were prints. past heads, governors, teachers, pupils and local dignitaries. The theme of the celebratory service was ‘Life in all its Fullness’ where pupils led the service with readings, music and drama. The two led the More than a thousand entries have prayers during the service and also been received, from 29 church preached the homily. schools, for the Bishop’s annual Christmas card competition. A team of judges select the winning picture which is turned into a Christmas card A selection of entries to this year’s to be sent to the Bishop’s friends, competition. family and colleagues around the

(l-r) Christopher Wilkinson (current First Place! head), John Kenworthy (former head), A new choir set up to represent the children across both schools Maria Rimmer (former head) with Bishop the collaboration between church were evident during the winning Gregory and Bishop Peter. schools, Ysgol Llanbedr and performance. Congratulations to Ysgol , has won the everyone involved. junior section of the North Wales Choral Festival in Llandudno. Cor Ffrindiau was up against fierce competition and all involved were delighted to be announced the winners with excellent feedback from the adjudicators. The close working and firm friendships of all

www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 15 Knitting Christmas St Mary’s Church in Llanfair made following patterns but for some Members of the church were involved Caereinion has a reputation we had to make up our own designs. in providing and serving refreshments for unusual Christmas events. A group of people from church made to those who came along to see Last year Steph Benbow and backings to show off the figures. the display. It was free entry with a donation box provided and we Sheila Morgan organised an We used the display as a way of made around £300. We were greatly exhibition of ‘Knitted Carols’ raising money for church and also for encouraged by the comments and and, as Steph explains, they’re Mission in Albania, which is supported reactions from visitors. planning to do the same this by our church. We are trying to year. help ‘Albanians to help Albanians’ As a result, this year we have added by offering support and advice around half a dozen scenes from We had been to see the Knitted Bible as well as encouragement. As a songs with a Christmas theme hoping when it visited a church in Newtown physiotherapist I have seen that there to encourage people to come along and it inspired us to do something is quite a difference in what is available again and bring others who missed it similar ourselves. We knitted figures in different areas. We have been last year. St Mary’s will be open the to depict the 12 Days of Christmas involved in supporting families living first two weekends in December and and several popular Christmas carols in Roma communities and in helping I hope that people will once again be and set them out to tell the Christmas people with a disability, which is often blessed and amazed at our Knitted story. Many of the knitted figures were seen as a stigma. Christmas display!

16 | Teulu Asaph Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi

Across the Diocese, new Mission Areas are being commissioned by Bishop Gregory. In October, several took place in the Archdeaconry of Montgomery along with Estuary and Mountain in and more recently Alyn was commissioned in November. Others will follow during the Alyn Mission Area: Megan, a pupil at St Paul’s VA Primary School with Father Huw Butler. rest of 2016 and into 2017.

Jane James, Vicar of Lynn Fearnhead reports Fay Green from St Paul’s VA explains the theme of their from Estuary and Mountain Primary School, , service for Caereinion: Mission Area: Wrexham says:

The Commissioning Service of the Alyn Mission Area was ‘born’ at a Estuary and Mountain Mission Area, special service with Bishop Gregory fondly known as EMMA, was held at St. Martin’s Church, on 6 on 17 October in the church of St November. All 12 churches joined Mary the Virgin, , supported together to make a beautiful picture by the worship band from St Peter’s of shared mission and ministry Church Parish Church, Holywell. A throughout our communities meaningful moment in this service represented by our jig-saw (shown Arwyn Jones and his children put of thanksgiving for the past, and above). together the Caereinion jigsaw. prayers of hope for the future, was when churchwardens We had a wonderful service of exchanged their celebration on 16 October. The wands for a framed theme of the service was ‘connecting picture of the with others to build the church’. The new mission service focused on the idea of a area motif as jigsaw puzzle where we as churches designed and individuals were like the pieces, by local with indentations representing our artist Natalie need to take things in and allow Griffiths of people to connect with us and parts . that stick out showing how we can All churches in the mission area See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil! reach out and connect with others. Emma Rees, Hermione Morris from will now be able A giant jigsaw was constructed with Vyrnwy Mission Area with Transition each church contributing a piece. to display the joint Estuary and Missioner, Pam Powell. Mountain Mission Area motif.

Jean Evans, Diane Crocker and Maureen Richardson from Tanat Valley Mission Area in St Dogfan’s Parish Church, Celebrating the commissioning of Tanat Valley Mission Area Shared Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant during the Vyrnwy Mission Area with refreshments Ministry Team with Bishop Gregory. Commission Service. afterwards at . www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 17 Your News / Eich Newyddion Chi

IT4Tanzania

For three weeks in August-September, Adrian and Hilary Murray from Christ Church, Bala, with Kevin Simmons, an IT co-ordinator from and two 18 Mael Evans, Hilary Murray and Rhys Hughes delivering laptops in Milo. year olds from Ysgol Y Berwyn, Mael Evans and Rhys message from Casimir Kayombo, National examination (100%).” Hughes, visited Bala’s linked village, Head Teacher: This is so encouraging and Milo, in Tanzania. Hilary Murray “It’s a very joyful day in Milo demonstrates what can be achieved reports. Primary School in co-operation with with a Parish link, not only for the While Adrian taught in the hospital, you and all the people of Bala – really village in Tanzania but for our local the others installed six new laptops lovely thanks. Your love to us has community and young people. Our to add to four second hand ones made Milo Primary School to be the church link now has support from the previously given in a newly dedicated third out of 77 schools in our district in schools, chapels, Rotary, WI, Teulu IT classroom in Milo Primary School. the National examination of Standard Berwyn, and town council, Kevin and the team taught the Seven. All our pupils have passed the Football club, Coleg Y Bala and many local teachers basic IT skills, word individuals. processing, spreadsheets and the There’s an extended version Libre Office equivalent of Power of this article at http://stasaph. Point. A projector and screen were churchinwales.org.uk/news/ also gratefully received. teuluasaph/teulu-asaph-extra-bits/ We have been thrilled since our return to receive via Whatsapp this

Tractor Harvest

Overton Playgroup and St Mary’s Toddler group attended St Mary’s Church for their own special Harvest Festival, writes the Revd David Child. They were led to church by a vintage tractor which carried a large loaf of bread. The local school also together with our Sunday Harvest the had their Harvest in St Mary’s and total number who attended was 410. Worm Charming Adrian Copping writes: Sixteen family participating in a delightful selection teams competed in the of cakes and meticulously crafted worm charming competition to raise sandwiches. money for St Michael and All Angels The worms were safely returned to Church. Over a 30 minute period the bushes at the edge of the village 656 worms were gently coaxed green to prevent the blackbirds from the ground. The charmers then joining the afternoon festivities. joined the residents for afternoon Thank you to all who supported tea in the Memorial Hall. All the the event which raised £501 for the charmers washed their hands before village Church.

18 | Teulu Asaph Resources / Adnoddau

Questions of Faith Training

The 2017 Training Together Prospectus is out now. Pick up your copy in church or download it from http://stasaph. churchinwales.org.uk/life/steering- groups/training/

JANUARY

10th Safe Church: 2-5pm in All Saints Church, Southsea. 11th Safe Church: 2-5pm in Canolfan Dewi Sant, Pensarn. 16th Introducing the Psalms: 6.30pm A collection of short films reflecting debate around faith and living. Dr at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham. personal stories on faith has been Morgan said: “These 12 short films 17th Training for Head’s and RE Co- launched by the , offer a compelling and creative way ordinators: 4.15-5.30pm in St John Dr . Twelve is a series to explore questions about our faith. the Baptist school, Pentrobin. of three-minute films featuring 12 The stories behind each one are 18th Welcome to the Diocese: 10am– individuals from Wales sharing their unique and powerful yet they raise 4pm at Diocesan Office, St Asaph own stories and posing questions questions most of us have had at 19th Safe Church: 2-5pm in the relating to their own personal some point in our lives.” Diocesan Office, St Asaph. experiences. It’s created not to give Visit the Twelve website for more 20th Befriending Death: 10am-4pm in answers but to start discussion and information: www.twelvefilm.org. Llangollen Pavilion, Llangollen. 23rd Introducing the Psalms: 6.30pm at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham. 30th Introducing the Psalms: 6.30pm Holocaust Memorial Day at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place changed beyond recognition during FEBRUARY on 27 January each year. It’s a time the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution for everyone to pause to remember and in subsequent genocides in 4th Moving the Boundaries (Human the millions of people who have been Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Sexuality Day): 10am-4pm in St murdered or whose lives have been Darfur. Margaret’s Church, Wrexham. How can life go on? Is the theme 6th Introducing the Psalms: 6.30pm for Holocaust Memorial Day 2017. at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham. The aftermath of the Holocaust and 7th Preparing for Lent, Holy Week of subsequent genocides continues and Easter: Death and resurrection: to raise challenging questions for 10am-3pm Venue St John’s Church, individuals, communities and nations. Llangollen HMD 2017 asks audiences to think 9th Preparing for Lent, Holy Week about what happens after genocide and Easter: Death and resurrection: and of our own responsibilities in 10am-3pm in Gregynog Hall, . the wake of such a crime. For the 11th Youth Worker Breakfast: 10am- first time, a bilingual Welsh/English 12.30pm in Gladstone’s Library, Activity Pack will be available with Hawarden. more resources in Welsh launched 13th Strategy and Ministry: 10am-4pm shortly. You can download in the Catrin Finch Centre, Wrexham. information at http://hmd.org.uk/ 13th Introducing the Psalms: 6.30pm content/order-or-download-activity- at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham. pack#Welsh activity pack 27th Introducing the Psalms: 6.30pm at St Giles’ Parish Church, Wrexham. www.stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk Teulu Asaph | 19 Ignite Wales

Over 100 young people danced from McDonalds to ex-girlfriends. Every young and praised the night away as Meanwhile, NOMAD, a Youth for person who attended was The Scala Cinema in Christ team who evangelise through given the chance to take a response hosted this year’s North Wales football, had crowds queuing to use bag. This contained a Book of Hope, their football cage. devotional Word 4U 2day, flyers Ignite, a Christian music advertising local youth groups and a event, which started in 2013. The evening event kicked off with chocolate treat. It aims to ignite a creative a rap set by Joey G, getting arms spark in each young person it pumping and voices warmed up. He Part of Ignite’s follow up will involve encounters, as well as offering was followed by the Alive (formerly setting up Ignition, a new weekly different ways to worship. Jon Calvary) Church worship band and breakfast club in Prestatyn High and Esther Andrews explain. then by The Identity, a Christian rock School. The ongoing work of Ablaze, band based in . the school’s Christian Union, will also Ignite takes place annually and is be continued and hopefully expanded. aimed at 11-18 year olds across North Headlining was international Christian and Mid Wales. The evening music DJ Galactus Jack. Even in the midst Such large, high energy youth events event is preceded by two days of of this party atmosphere, he got cannot take place all the time, and nor workshops in Prestatyn High School. the young people’s attention by should they. But in their right context, Music, religious studies and PE giving his testimony, explaining how they can be a fresh new springboard classes were led by a diverse range of God’s grace gives him strength to for our young people in the diocese Christian professionals, including our pursue a career he loves... and that to connect with God and worship like Under 25s Officer Tim Feak and David this amazing grace is available to never before. Ash, Vicar of Christ Church, Prestatyn. everyone! Tim Gough from Llandudno Youth For Photos: Nick Bubb. Image: captured Christ led an exciting assembly where The evening was interspersed with he turned a whole school year into a testimonies. All attending were human drum kit! Local rap artist Joey deeply moved by stories of how drug G got pupils rapping about anything addiction, identity crises and low self-esteem were redeemed by God’s saving power and grace.