FREE AM DDIM TEULU ASAPH Esgobaeth Llanelwy of Chwefror/Mawrth February/March 2016

Does it still have a voice in today’s world? A still-speaking voice

Bishop Gregory,

Reading a single verse of the Bible has have a duty to be mature and careful, and chwyldroad mewn Cristnogaeth yn yr changed the lives of some of the greatest the Anglican rule is: The Bible is our chief unfed ganrif ar bymtheg. saints. St Augustine wasn’t even a authority, but we have to read it, mindful Mae gan y Beibl ffordd o wneud hyn. Christian, when he heard a small child of how Christians have understood it Gall siarad â’r galon a newid bywydau, ac singing over the garden wall “Take up and down through the centuries, and using felly mae’n parhau i fod â llais heddiw. read”. He picked up a Bible his mother the gift of the minds God has given us. Wrth gwrs, mae’n rhaid i ni fod yn ofalus. had left lying around, and read “Put Go on, be brave, and let God speak to Mae hanes am yr un a benderfynodd on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no you through his Word. ddod o hyd i ewyllys Duw drwy agor provision for the flesh.” It converted him. y Beibl, a darllen yr adnod gyntaf a Catherine of Siena became a saint and Llais sy’n parhau i lefaru welodd. Mathew 27.5: “aeth ymaith, ac teacher of the Church because of the Mae darllen un adnod o’r Beibl wedi fe’i crogodd ei hun”. Gan bendroni tybed powerful way she selected a single verse newid bywydau rhai o’r seintiau mwyaf. beth allai hynny ei olygu, ceisiodd eto: Luc of the Bible and sent it to the mightiest Nid oedd Awstin Sant yn Gristion, hyd yn 10.37 “Dos, a gwna dithau yr un modd “. people in mediaeval Europe, challenging oed, pan glywodd blentyn bach yn canu Gan nad oedd yn credu mai dyma oedd them to think about it. yr ochr arall i wal yr ardd “Cyfod a darllen”. ewyllys Duw ar ei gyfer, ceisiodd am y Martin Luther was struggling with his Cododd Feibl yr oedd ei fam wedi ei trydydd tro: Actau 22.16 “Ac yn awr, pam conscience. He found a verse: “For adael wrth law, a darllen “Gwisgwch yr wyt yn oedi?” the just shall live by faith”, and realised yr Arglwydd Iesu Grist amdanoch; a Rydym ni’r Anglicaniaid, rydym ni powerfully that God loves us and calls us pheidiwch â rhoi eich bryd ar foddhau Gristnogion, yn credu bod y Beibl yn to put our trust in him, and not spend our chwantau’r cnawd.” Cafodd dröedigaeth. Air byw Duw, ac rydym yn ei ddarllen, lives trying to curry favour by behaving Daeth Catherine o Siena yn santes ac nid er mwyn clywed am ffydd pobl as if we were perfect. That started the athrawes yn yr Eglwys oherwydd y ffordd eraill, ond am fod Duw yn defnyddio’r entire Reformation, which revolutionised rymus oedd ganddi o ddewis adnod o’r ysgrythur i siarad â ni. Wrth gwrs, mae Christianity in the sixteenth century. Beibl a’i hanfon at bobl bwysicaf Ewrop gennym ddyletswydd i fod yn aeddfed The Bible has a way of doing this. It can yn y Canol Oesoedd, gan eu herio i ac yn ofalus, a’r rheol Anglicanaidd yw: speak to the heart and change lives, so feddwl am yr adnod honno. y Beibl yw ein prif awdurdod, ond mae’n continuing to have a voice today. Of Roedd Martin Luther yn cael trafferth rhaid i ni ei ddarllen yn ystyriol o’r modd course, we’ve got to be careful. There’s gyda’i gydwybod. Daeth o hyd i’r adnod: mae Cristnogion wedi ei ddeall ar hyd y the story of the person who decided to “Y sawl sydd trwy ffydd yn gyfiawn canrifoedd, a defnyddio’r rhodd find God’s will by opening the Bible, and a gaiff fyw”, a sylweddoli’n o feddyliau y mae Duw wedi reading the first verse he saw. Matthew rymus fod Duw yn ein caru ni ei rhoi i ni. 27:5 “Judas went and hanged himself”. ac yn ein galw ni i roi ein ffydd Ewch amdani, byddwch yn Wondering what that might mean, he ynddo ef, ac nid treulio ein ddewr, a gadewch i Dduw tried again: Luke 10:37 “Go and do bywydau’n ceisio cael ffafriaeth siarad gyda chi drwy ei Air. likewise”. Not believing that this was drwy ymddwyn fel pe baem yn God’s will for him, he tried a third time: berffaith. Dechreuodd Acts 22:16 “And now, why do you delay?” hynny’r Diwygiad We Anglicans, we Christians, believe Protestannaidd that the Bible is the living Word of God, cyfan, a and we read it, not to hear about other barodd people’s faith, but because God uses scripture to speak to us. Of course, we

2 Theology for Life

The Revd Dr Richard Hainsworth, Director of Exploring Faith

identify a history to particular books, the Bible is contradictory or inconsistent. for example by identifying common Rather it is to do justice to the Bible as sources. a process of revelation over time and What is the Bible and Christian theology does not propose that involving reflection in the light of new how do we read it? scripture was directly given from heaven events. The most obvious example of What does it say to in a way that bypassed human historical the diversity of the Bible is the fact that us about issues in the activity, as if the Bible fell from heaven on it contains four gospels rather than just world today? engraved tablets. Instead, we recognise one. While entirely consistent in their core For many people, the Church in ’ that God gives himself to us in and beliefs about who Jesus is, each reflects consultation on same sex marriage threw through a particular context. on Jesus in a different way, up these questions and the dilemmas In both Testaments, what is not generally It is natural for people to revisit their inherent in making sense of the Bible in disputed is that each text was written or understandings of the past and to learn today’s world. Teulu Asaph asked the edited to meet the needs of a particular lessons from them in the light of significant Director of Exploring Faith, Dr Richard time and context, and that knowing more new events. So the Bible shows an ability Hainsworth to provide some guidance on about this context is helpful in interpreting to critique its own positions and nuance reading, interpreting and understanding their original meaning. them over time. the Bible. For example Exodus 20:5 says “..for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, The Bible as historical punishing children for the iniquity of document parents, to the third and the fourth One of the commonest misconceptions generation of those who reject me”. While about the Bible is that it is one single Jeremiah 31:29-30 says ‘In those days they entity. In fact, the Bible comprises a shall no longer say: ‘The parents have eaten surprisingly large variety of different types sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set of text, written under many different sets on edge.’ But all shall die for their own sins’.’ of circumstances. Understood naively, these texts could be The Old Testament books span the seen to be contradictory. But the questions period from approximately 1000-300 BC of suffering and justice that they reference and contain a variety of literary forms, The Bible as the are complex enough to need to be viewed from poetry to story to prophecy and testimonies of people from both angles. The first recognises that law. Each book has its own history. Some Those who produced these sacred texts our actions do not just have consequences may be the work of one individual or a believed themselves to be bearing witness for ourselves but for our communities community, others may have been edited to a God who is, in some sense, revealed and for future generations. The second together over a long period by multiple in the events taking place in their lives and recognises the element of injustice in authors with traditional stories being the lives of their communities. They are this, as it means that those who were not retold and additions made. testimonies to relationships; attempts by responsible for the sin are caught up in its The New Testament was composed over a communities to put their reflections on consequences. Therefore the answer to shorter period, approximately the second God into words. They are theologies. the question ‘Does the Bible say that God half of the first century AD and contains The plurals in the preceding paragraph are punishes the children for their parents sins’ fewer books by fewer authors. However, deliberate; it is more appropriate to speak must be answered with a qualified ‘yes’ as with the Old Testament, a majority of the theologies of the Bible than its and a qualified ‘no’ (and probably in many of scholars believe that it is possible to (single) ‘theology’. This is not to say that other ways too!)

3 As a result, discovering ‘what the Bible resolved by an appeal to individual biblical we have continuity and is a revelation of says’ on a particular topic is not as simple texts. For others, the key test is whether God in a particular time and place, none as looking that topic up as if the Bible were an idea is consistent with the general of these things prevent the Bible from an encyclopaedia and reading a short direction or flow of the biblical narrative speaking to our own time and place and definitive statement on the subject. While and witness, which is a question which is our own experience. It may be precisely this may be frustrating or disturbing, it can much harder to judge. While the ability because we believe that the Bible has be seen to contribute much to scripture’s to ‘proof text’ by citing individual verses come to us through many individuals and value. It is not a set of pat answers to or passages as conclusive of an argument communities trying to relate to God in all hard questions, or a list of neat ideas. It offers a tempting degree of certainty, it is the messiness and complexity of real lives is the product of a deep, and authentic, worth pondering whether this is in fact a as they are lived, that we have confidence wrestling with God and the mysteries temptation worth resisting. that it can speak authentically to our own of life over centuries. This allows for a One significant issue of interpretation in lives. It has been tried and tested and fuller exploration of the complexities and the past was the practise of slavery. It shown its enduring capacity to speak to paradoxes that life and God present and it is easy to point to individual verses that each generation for 2000-3000 years. allows for answers that do not have to be appear to condone or assume slavery, However we read the Bible, we must do ‘either or’ but can include the subtleties of including slavery on racial grounds. so humbly and prayerfully, before a God ‘both and’ or ‘on the other hand’. However, almost all Christians today who is always too great for us to claim a would recoil from slavery and judge it full and perfect understanding. to be inconsistent with the message of scripture as a whole. We have learned, The Revd Dr Richard Hainsworth is through painful mistakes, to guide our the Vicar of and Director interpretations of scripture in the light of of The Exploring Faith programme. its overall message of liberation and not Exploring Faith is for individuals and to use it as a tool of oppression. How church congregations to help them one should apply this principle to other grow in their ministry contemporary ethical questions, without and discipleship. simply allowing the Church to follow wherever the world leads it, is much The Bible as the Word of contested. The authority of scripture the Lord demands that we take the whole of The late John Stott, one of the UK’s scripture seriously and neither ‘cherry- You can find out more at - leading evangelical Anglicans wrote ‘The pick’ individual passages to the exclusion http://stasaph.churchinwales.org. reason why Christians love the Bible is of others, or shrink from wrestling with uk/life/steering-groups/developing/ that it speaks to us of Jesus Christ. We the parts of scripture that we may find exploringfaith/ are not bibliolaters; we do not worship hard to engage with or interpret. While the Bible. But we worship Christ, and the interpretations of scripture change over Teulu Asaph will be picking up Bible points us to him.’ time, scripture itself remains constant. the theme of Theology for Life The question of precisely how to judge throughout 2016 what is and is not consistent with The Bible as a still- with further scripture is one of the main fault-lines speaking voice articles. running through Anglican Churches Whilst scripture is an historical document, today. For some, the questions are best the testimony of a community with which

4 joins the fight against holiday hunger The Revd , Vicar of Rhyl

‘Really chuffed to bits’ was the reaction of Sue Hughes, one of the children’s workers in the Parish of Rhyl, as she and others joined with the Parish of to provide lunches for children in Rhyl over the Christmas holidays. A group of helpers from both parishes, worked together as a project towards becoming a mission area, making 30 packed lunches every day. The during the School Holidays. That the local soup, fresh bread and a snack to up to AM for the Vale of Clwyd which includes church has recognised this and has been 80 children in the area via the Rhyl, Ann Jones, called in to give out in a position to go some way to rectifying Gwenfro Valley play team and those at Food Safety in Catering Certificates. She it by providing packed lunches to children The Venture. There were volunteers commented on how great it was to see the attending the Adventure Playground during from different churches and groups local churches working together to support the first week of the school holidays has including the ’s MP, Ian Lucas and the local community. Will Morecambe, been hugely appreciated by those children his wife, Norah and Lesley Griffiths AM. a worker from the Rhyl Adventure receiving them.’ It’s hoped the joint project Ian Lucas MP has written an article for Playground said: ‘‘It has always been a bit by Rhyl and Towyn will continue for future the New Statesman magazine, praising of a mystery as to why given that children school holidays. the work being done by churches in are entitled to free school meals during • In over the Christmas Wrexham to provide children with meals term-time, that there is no such provision holidays a group of volunteers provided during school holidays. Four years of working with youngsters in Esther Yates, St Beuno’s, Berriew

Three years have passed since we began with small coins and return on Easter day. activities at St Beuno’s, Berriew for our Then there was a coffee morning with young folks. With a cake to celebrate the little stalls and games in June start of our fourth year, the groups are In August – helped by some of the Little going from strength to strength. saints – they had a sponsored cycle run We now have two groups: Little Saints for around Lake Vyrnwy. And finally a Carol the primary school youngsters – and Teen café at the start of Advent – when folks Seekers – for year 6 and above (secondary Fund-raising began in Lent when they chose and sang their favourite advent school). Teen seekers, a growing group of gave plastic eggs filled with sweets to the hymns and carols. Little saints enjoyed between six to ten young people, worked congregation and asked them to fill them a journey through Advent to the stable – hard throughout 2015, raising money to when they made candles, painted sleighs help others. They chose two charities and helped to tell the nativity story. - Cancer Research and Children’s Liver Our term finished with many attending Foundation - and set themselves a target the Crib service on Christmas Eve. We are to raise £1,000. In the end, they smashed looking forward to 2016 – more challenges it, raising more than £1,200. – fun and friendship!

5 News in Brief

boundaries of language, culture, and arrange events to promote equality and Service of welcome social background. As the Archbishop encourage participation. for Mark Yaconelli of Wales notes in his Foreword, the In the Diocese of St Asaph, Diane central message is that we are saved McCarthy is the Diocesan link person; by faith in Christ alone, and we seek Sue Last and the Revd Andrew Sully to make this real in our contemporary are trustees. Membership is £15 per struggles with issues of race, gender, year and the Membership Secretary is poverty and inequality. All profits due the Ven : . to the author from the sale of this book [email protected] Credit - Andy Stonehouse Credit will be given to the ’ The next major event for MAECymru mobile dental clinic in Gaza. will be a conference on May 21st 2016.

MAECymru is A special service to formally welcome Churches asked to Mark Yaconelli to the Diocese will be launched do climate change held at on Sunday audit 28th February at 3.30pm. Everyone is MAECymru, a new CIO (Charitable welcome to the service followed by Incorporated Organisation) to promote Churches across Wales are being asked afternoon tea. Mark, an American gender equality in the Church in Wales, to conduct a climate change audit to writer, speaker, retreat leader, spiritual has been launched. MAECymru stands help develop a local and national green director, community activist, youth for ‘Merched a’r Eglwys’ (‘women and strategy. Questionnaires are being worker and storyteller will be working the church’), ‘Ministry and Equality’ – sent to congregations to find out what across the diocese for six months. He’s and also means “it’s Wales” in Welsh. churches are already doing and what focusing on three strands: youth Its establishment follows the historic more they could do. Action is likely ministry, the hearth project and spiritual decision in 2013 to allow women to include energy conservation and formation. Please come along and to become Bishops in the Church in using renewable energy, encouraging welcome Mark and his family to Wales. Wales, but in recognition that there the community to adapt their life- is a long way to go before women – styles, developing prayer and worship Three Mountains to lay and ordained – achieve equality resources, promoting ecological projects in the church. The organisation aims and supporting global initiatives, such Freedom to monitor appointments, including as Fairtrade. The questionnaire has to influential committees and boards; been produced by the Church in Wales’ Bishop John Dudley Davies, the former promote gender-aware training and environment group, CHASE. Bishop of Shrewsbury and a honorary appropriate theological education; and assistant Bishop in this diocese has written the ’ Lent book this year. Three Mountains to Freedom follows, in seven steps, Paul’s pilgrimage across three climactic view- points, labelled ‘Faith’, ‘Unity’, and ‘Freedom’. All the way, Paul is struggling to work out the meaning of Christ with a wide variety of communities, through

6 Being a transition mentor Karen Maurice, Editor of Teulu Asaph

Two reports have been published recently to help skills, experiences and wisdom which can be shared as deaneries make the transition to mission areas. The churches move together into mission areas.” transition mentor reports identify both the strengths For those Jennie met in , transition promises and challenges communities face as they journey exciting times ahead. As with any change, there’s towards mission areas. You can read both at http:// uncertainty but by considering her 68 recommendations, stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/2020-vision/ an open and transparent approach is being taken. Nuala Quinn was appointed as Transition Mentor Already, the deanery has established a transition group to the Deanery in the Archdeaconry of St to take forward the report’s recommendations and Asaph. She is a Catholic and brought a legal, contract move towards a mission area in the summer. Two of negotiation background to this role. the churches have held a joint PCC meeting discussing “For the most part I was welcomed in my role as ‘Shaping our Mission Area Together’. transition mentor,” said Nuala having just completed “This is really positive,” says Jennie. “There is a lot of the 70-page report on the deanery. “Faith, peace and good will in Hawarden to move forward intentionally hope are alive and well in Llanrhos and there is much as a mission area.” to be celebrated but the mentoring process wasn’t Four St Asaph deaneries – Mathrafal, St Asaph, Alyn without its challenges,” she said. and Dee Valley - have appointed transition mentors and That’s to be expected perhaps as the Church in Wales their reports are expected early in 2016. The deanery seeks to review the ways it works in every Diocese. 2020 of Penllyn and Edeyrnion has recently advertised for a Vision is being rolled out and St Asaph is working hard transition mentor. to ensure all voices, especially those in congregations All deaneries are expected to have moved to mission and communities are heard and recognised. areas by the end of 2016. Nuala’s role was to meet with clergy, congregations, church users and members of the local community to identify the best route to mission area (or areas) for What is…? ….a Mission Area is about building a team the churches. “I was surprised by how little some people knew about of ministers – clerical and lay – to serve the 2020 Vision,” Nuala reported. “About half of my time congregations and communities within that was spent raising awareness and signposting people to mission area. A mission area may include the information and resources available. several parishes. “Now that the report is completed, I think its main …..2020 Vision is the title of the Church in message is to focus time and energy on the positive Wales Review which proposes a radical new and that which can be done, and leave the rest to approach to Church life God.” …a PCC is the executive committee of a In Hawarden, in the Archdeaconry of Wrexham, Jennie parish made up of the clergy, church wardens Ashford was appointed as Transition Mentor. She’s a and elected lay people training consultant, a member of the Church in Wales’ ….a transition mentor is an independent Governing Body and regular worshipper at St Mary’s mentor appointed by a deanery and the in . diocese to assist a deanery to identify its “During the mentoring process, many people told path towards mission area or areas. More me how little they understood about mission areas”, than one mission area may be created from said Jennie, echoing Nuala’s experience. “They’d previously tried to make sense of the idea but effective a deanery. communication wasn’t forthcoming. Part of my ….a deanery is the group of parishes

DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL - UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL - UNLOCKING EIN POTENSIAL DATGLOI role”, said Jennie “was to educate and help people overseen by an area dean. see how they fit into the big picture; that they have

7 The Diocesan Con ference needs you

Elections take place this year for the Diocesan from each church to attend. Plus, for the first time, Conference. This is a once in a three year opportunity there will be a dedicated place for every deanery/ to nominate the right people to represent your mission area to send an under 25 representative. church at these gatherings. Teulu Asaph has pulled together some information to help you understand What to expect from the more about the Diocesan Conference, what it does Conference? and how you can be involved. • Useful information, presented in a helpful and The Diocesan Conference is the annual general interesting way meeting of the Diocese of St Asaph. It is a full day • A marketplace with stalls selling books, Fairtrade event, held on the second Saturday of October every products, diocesan directories, and information year and includes both the business of the diocese on church groups and organisations and a motivational call to action. Approximately • A goodie bag to take 300 people from across the Diocese attend and new home and share delegates with new ideas are always welcome. with your church The conference takes a different theme each year. — in 2015 it included In 2015, the theme was Being Church 24/7 :: Eglwys a USB stick with Sul, Gŵyl a Gwaith and you can read an account of the film “Unlocking the day in the last edition of Teulu Asaph or on the our Potential: six stories from across the website at http://stasaph.churchinwales.org.uk/life/ diocese” diocesan-conference-2015/ • Inspirational worship — in 2015 it was led by the Youth Forum How to get involved now • Lunch, along with tea, coffee and biscuits Conference delegates are nominated for a three year throughout the day term, via the deanery/mission area (MA) conference. Elections will take place at the next annual vestry What’s expected of you? meeting. There is a place for at least one layperson 1. Attendance at the conference — it is only a once DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL - UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL - UNLOCKING EIN POTENSIAL DATGLOI

8 The Diocesan Con ference needs you UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL - DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL

a year commitment for three years! the , the diocesan legal officers 2. Feedback to your church — delegates receive all the and lead officers of the board of finance, information needed to take back key parsonage board and steering groups. messages to your church. 3. Vote on diocesan business How to get involved? — you will receive papers Nominations to the Standing Committee are made informing you of the by each mission area/deanery conference. As for the conference business and Diocesan Conference, elections take place this year and voting. members of Standing Committee are nominated for a term of three years What is the Standing Committee? What’s expected of you on Standing Committee is the executive arm of the Standing Committee? Diocesan Conference. It provides strategic guidance, • The ability to attend four week day meetings direction and decision making for the smooth running during the year and the Diocesan Conference of the Diocese of St Asaph. • An understanding of how the diocese works or Membership of the Standing Committee is made up of: a willingness to learn • Elected lay and clerical representation from • Time to pray and get involved with debates to every mission area/deanery conference further the work of the diocese • Ex-officio members from the diocesan • A flexible approach to be open to new ideas administration, including the bishop, the dean, and ways of working

9 Building sharing at St Mary’s in : A unique experience The Revd Kate Tiltman and Fr Moses Amune, msp

In January 1980 a unique As in any partnership we agreement was signed, sometimes need to be paving the way for more tolerant of others Anglican and Catholic and of their points of congregations to share a view. However, I have pre-reformation church in found sharing the church Ruabon. As 2020 Vision with my Roman Catholic encourages new ways of colleague Fr Moses and thinking and being the his congregation an Church in Wales, could enriching experience that this ecumenical model be replicated elsewhere? The has enhanced my ministry in Ruabon. It would be good current parish priests reflect on their experiences. to find more ways in which we can share the gospel together, and ways in which we can work together for The Revd Kate Tiltman writes: We are now 36 years the good of our community. I look forward to the next on from the signing of that agreement between the 55 years! Representative Body of the Church in Wales and the trustees of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Menevia. It Fr Moses Amune, msp writes: The day before He gave equal rights in the use of St Mary’s for 99 years. suffered, Christ prayed “that they may be one”. Moved Since then the congregations have been worshipping in the same Spirit and the prevailing circumstances, in their own traditions in a building that dates back to The Rev. T. W. Prichard and Fr Jones saw possibilities Medieval times; a time before the Reformation when that were not immediately evident; they prayed and St Mary’s would have been a Catholic church. Today, discerned together to share the Church in Wales’ pre- the two congregations have their own service times, Reformation Church, St Mary’s, Ruabon. As Prichard but we come together for the Patronal festival, for noted in his letter to the then bishop of St Asaph, The Rt harvest and for a Christingle service. We both invite Rev. H. J. Charles, “I regard such a sharing agreement our church schools, filling the church with young people not merely as a marriage of convenience but as a real of both denominations in shared celebrations. These expression of a desire for unity.” I find it wonderful are wonderful occasions when we can all contribute to to watch the Catholic congregation coming in for the shared worship of God in a building that is home Mass just as the Anglicans are filing out of their just to us all. Clergy and people also meet together to pray concluded service: lots of interactions. In fact, some of one evening a month, a time of quiet that I value. On the Catholics who come in early for Sunday’s Eucharist a more practical level the Joint Council keep the church join the Anglicans’ towards the end of theirs. Though running, paying the heating, lighting and insurance bills fraught with challenges, I feel we are moving on very and taking part in joint fundraising ventures. well. May we never tire of doing what is right. It does have to be said, however, that not And may God continue to strengthen this all in our congregation value working union both physically and spiritually. alongside our brethren from the Roman Catholic congregation. The Revd Kate Tiltman is Vicar of Ruabon Sadly, there are tensions and and she shares St Mary’s with Fr Moses Amune MSP (Missionary Society of there are times when St Paul) who is the parish priest of Ruabon, and in the DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL - UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL - UNLOCKING EIN POTENSIAL DATGLOI things do not work out as we might wish. Catholic Diocese of Wrexham.

10 Schools Update

the and the driving Creative Collective force behind Jumping Fish and Imaginor Potato-print wise Worship, Values Publications, came to lead the day. She men design wins the shared stories and ideas from her own through the wisdom and experience, and encouraged Bishop’s Christmas Curriculum and a participants to reflect on their own card competition little bit of personal schools’ practice. As well as showcasing some existing publications, everyone was well-being. encouraged to give feedback on some new A four year old and exciting ideas Shane and her team are boy from a Church currently working on. School in Whitford, Participants also enjoyed a delicious near Holywell won sharing lunch, celebrating fellowship and the Bishop of St building bridges with new friends. Asaph’s annual The day ended with a session led by the Christmas card Diocesan Under-25s Officer, Tim Feak, competition. Cian who reminded everyone of the need to Jones from Ysgol love and look after yourself, as well as y Llan delighted the judges with his those around you. effective depiction of the three wise men following the star, using only colourful potato prints. The start of the new academic term saw His design was one of more than 940 nearly 180 teachers and staff from our entries from Church Schools across the church schools gather in St Mary’s Church Diocese and was turned into a Christmas in , writes Simon Cameron, card sent to the Bishop’s friends and Diocesan School’s Officer. The INSET colleagues around the world. training centred on “Creative, Age- Cian was presented with his prize of a Appropriate Prayer and Collective Worship book token during a school assembly in School”, “Training, Resourcing and Each participating school was presented along with a framed version of Celebrating Children as Leaders of with a copy of the Home School Values his picture. Collective Worship” and “Practical Ways to activity pack and the Values Reflection Root the Curriculum in Christian Values”. Journal, both of which will supplement Shahne Vickery, Education Advisor from and enhance the Roots and Fruits material already used by many of our schools. Every delegate was also give a goody- bag including promotional materials, chocolate… and a fizzy bath bomb or nice soap, to encourage everyone to put Tim’s words into practice.

11 Your News

it a personal Christmas wish, prayer for First visit to St someone special or to remember absent Betty’s jam proves a Garmon’s family or friends. As part of the service, real hit they placed their decoration on the tree. After this was done the children filled up the spaces with paper chains. The jam-making skills of Betty Taylor The chains represented “one body, from St Cystennin near are many parts”. proving legendary with people coming from far and Christmas lunch wide to pick up a continues outreach jar. Miss Taylor, who moved to to the community Mochdre about On Sunday 15th of November 2015, four years ago, the tiny congregation of St Garmon’s, St Deiniol’s Church in Hawarden reaches sells her jam, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog , delighted out to the community throughout the chutneys and in welcoming members of our fellow year, writes Susan Lewis, by providing lemon curd for churches in the Ceiriog valley for the first community lunches once a month on a £3 and is already visit of Bishop Gregory to our church, Friday, as well as thoughtfully cooking a making a sizable writes Glenys Oldaker. The Bishop was Sunday lunch especially for those who contribution to the church’s fund raising assisted by our vicar Edward Yendall for would otherwise be alone on a Sunday! efforts. Now in her 80s, Betty makes the confirmation of mother and daughter The years’ work culminated in the teams on average 250 jars of jam and other Sue and Ffion from St Ffraid’s Church, conserves, as well as cakes for sale at . Quite unusually, three the church. young adults; Wilfred, Lily and Daisy, whose family have strong connections Coming up in with the valley, were Baptised and then Confirmed by the Bishop. The afternoon Colwyn Bay finished with lots of chatter, refreshments and spiced berry cordial! Colwyn Choral Society will be performing in St Paul’s Church, Colwyn Bay on Saturday 19th March. The programme One body, many will include Mass in G by Schubert, parts cooking, serving and washing up 140 Mozart’s Requiem and Marriage of superb turkey dinners during December, Figaro Overture. The soloists are Joanne As part of our Christmas Carol Service including a vegetarian option! Dexter, Christopher Steele, Margaret at St Michael’s Church, , The meals are always fully booked, MacDonald and Alan Fairs who will be near Welshpool writes Toby Jones, which shows how much they are accompanied by the Philharmonia of each participant was given a paper appreciated by the community. North Wales Orchestra conducted by decoration (key, bell, candle, star, angel, Many thanks to all involved. It is lovely Graham Eccles and Martin Brown as the bauble) to decorate as they wished. In to hear that ‘although it is hard work, Organist. Tickets £12 (students/children addition, they were asked to write on we love doing it’! £6). Ring 01492 583588 for details.

12 Eich newyddion chi

After the lights were switched on everyone came into the church to eat and drink and to look at the ‘tree’ holding all the names of those remembered or celebrated in the lights. The church was freshly decorated for Christmas and people were able to look at the fifteen or so homemade or favourite nativity scenes that groups and individuals had contributed as part of the giving details of everything, and this was Crib Festival. Nativity scenes ranged from Making our launched at the Church Christmas Fair at the end of November. We played to one presence felt: of church’s strengths, hospitality, An Advent Festival and welcomed people with mulled wine and food at every event (except the Ysgol There’s usually plenty going on in the Meifod carol service!). village of Meifod during Advent – The Crown of Lights on the church carols, discussion meetings, services etc – but because different activities appeal to different people it’s hard to make sure that information knitted figures to Dr Who (complete about everything gets to people in with daleks) to a huge inflatable tableau. the village. Frances Ward explains The central focus was the church’s own what was different this Advent. nativity figures, calmly spot lit within the As plans were being made for a altar table. Crib Festival in the church, reflective Our Advent events included three discussion meetings and carol services, it quiet reflective mornings, some was also suggested that we could circle beautiful singing, a humorous film, Meifod church tower with a crown of social gatherings, the individuality of a thousand lights, which people could the cribs and the church decorations, sponsor to remember or celebrate family the communal spirit of the village carol members and friends. As the new idea service, and, floating above them all, the took shape – and people volunteered lights commemorating so many people to help put the lights up and distribute dear to Meifod villagers. sponsorship forms – we decided to bring We felt that this year our Advent all the events together under one title: an celebrations became village, rather than Advent Festival. tower caught the village’s imagination just church, events. They attracted more We wanted to give people the idea that and an enthusiastic crowd gathered for people, who came to one thing, then they could pick and mix Festival events the switching on. Jane James, vicar of came again to another. It was another as they pleased, and would be welcome Meifod, said a short prayer before the step towards making our church relevant to join in anything that caught their crowd began a countdown chant and the to our community. interest. We produced a colourful leaflet lights came on.

13 Your News The Joy of a Link with Tanzania

Youth Church celebrates Christmas in the Cathedral

Young people from all over the Diocese met at St Asaph Cathedral for an ADRIAN, IWAN, KATIE AND HILARY IN THE TRADITIONAL CLOTHES MADE FOR THEM evening of Christmas carols, open mic We in Christ Church, Bala, accepted a from Njombe. There we met as many and fish and chips, writes Tim Feak, link with a parish in Tanzania just over people as possible to learn about the the Diocesan Under-25s Officer. The three years ago and then wondered village and make contacts with all those young people sat on straw bales with how to make the link work. It soon who had mobile phones and emails! the Cathedral bathed in special lighting became clear that we needed to visit. We reported back, not just to our including giant snowflakes projected In April 2013, my husband Adrian church but to other groups in the onto the ceiling and the floors, not to and I visited Milo, 6,000ft up in the community of Bala and were delighted mention the snow machines! Many of mountains and a three hours’ drive with the response. We returned in them brought a song to sing, a sketch to perform, a joke to tell, we even had some beat boxing. It was a really special evening. I am delighted that the Youth Church continues to grow and to be something to which young people in our Diocese want to come. We have just received some money from the Transformation Fund for a brand new PA sound system which we put to good use during the evening and will travel around the Diocese with the Youth Church. The next date for youth church is 12th February in the South of our Diocese. Venue TBC. For more information please contact [email protected] IWAN PRESENTING FOOTBALLS TO THE MILO FOOTBALL TEAM

14 The Joy of a Link with Tanzania Dr Hilary Murray, South West Tanganyika Association

September 2013 with letters from Bala town council, the school and the church, some simple equipment for the hospital, a laptop and printer for the school and strip and footballs from Bala Football Club. Adrian and I have headed up the youth work in Christ Church for the past ten years. In 2014 we asked the older youth group if anyone would consider visiting Milo to do a project. After initial general interest, two young people stood out by their determination and commitment to going. With help from the South West Tanganyika Association, our church, community, Bala Rotary Club, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, funds and equipment IWAN ON THE MILO FOOTBALL PITCH were raised for a three and a half week practice. He aspires to come to the UK with two young people who are now visit in September 2015. Iwan Edwards, to learn more and we hope to help him. determined to return to Milo for a with Adrian, was to build a workbench The technology we gave has resulted in longer time. Their eyes have been and equip it with carpentry tools to the exam pass rate improving from 50% opened to the wider world. Using them start a training programme for AIDS to 90% due to the ability to print exam as ambassadors, we hope to encourage orphans and disadvantaged boys that papers for each student. more young people to do the same. the church in Milo wanted to set up. We seem to be expanding our link to Two foci of the Diocesan Conference Katie Williams, with Hilary, was to involve the whole valley down from and 2020 vision are – engagement with teach English in the Primary School. Milo. With help from other supporters the community and engagement with Iwan is a carpentry student at Coleg in the UK, we have just young people. Three years into our Meirion-Dwyfor in Dolgellau. When provided the hospital with parish link, this is one of the ways it is Paul Sellers, the author of the ‘Working a new vehicle. It is also happening. I hope we can inspire other Wood’ course heard what he was doing, clear that as we do more, parishes to consider a link in Tanzania. he donated his full course of DVDs to the community in Milo is leave with the students, worth about motivated to start Dr Hilary Murray lives in Bala and is a £150. Many people donated tools or projects that we member of the South West Tanganyika money to buy them and we took 150Kg can help with. Association. Iwan and Katie are of tools and equipment with us. Five Improving the undertaking speaking carpenters in Milo each volunteered water supply engagements around Bala to to give a day a week to teach the 16 is the next big raise awareness of their visit students and we have since heard that project and and encourage more fund-raising for Milo. If you would like a parish link the teaching project is going well. we have started in Tanzania please contact Hilary Murray The Head of Milo Primary School was a £2000 fund at [email protected] or Mike impressed with our Western teaching raising campaign. Harrison [email protected]. methods and has put some into We have begun

KATIE WITH HER GIFT OF A HEN! 15 Calais – a moving

journey The Revd Aidan Coleman, Vicar of Holywell

queue that had quickly formed and that stretched far back down the dirt track, other people walked past carrying trays of Three vans loaded with food in plastic bags. These were amongst blankets, sleeping bags, warm winter clothing and food the 2,000 meals prepared each day and donated by people in North Wales was delivered to the jungle camp brought to the Jungle from a large charity in Calais on 17th December. Driving the van containing aid collected kitchen in Calais. by the Diocese of St Asaph was the Revd Aidan Coleman, Vicar of As we walked around it was clear just Holywell accompanied by what a community has developed. Ged Hall, a member of St There is a church, mosques, at least two Peter’s Church, Holywell. schools, a workshop, children’s secure play The first misconception area, small shops and art work. According to the estimation of one to be exploded was dis- source I spoke to between 100-150 people make it through to the UK covering that Calais each week in the back of lorries having paid around 5,000 Euros each. was not under siege by I am left feeling that as a Christian and as part of the worldwide refugees but was as busy Church that I should be, that we should be, campaigning for a Jubilee and peaceful as ever. for those in the Calais Jungle and at Dunkirk, that those who wish to Christmas decorations were up and Calais bustled with activity and come to France should be allowed to do so, that those who want to commerce. And yet it was soon clear that all was not normal here. As come to the United Kingdom should be allowed to do so, that those our vans drove out of the Tunnel’s train terminal we past an electrified who want to return to their homeland should be helped so that this fence of such stature that it looked as though it might formally have chaos on our border can be brought to an end, that this stain on Europe served as the T-Rex enclosure for the set of Jurassic Park. can be removed, that this squalor can be ended, that As we returned that night the police had this risk to life and limb from attempts blocked off lanes on the motorway and to cross illegally can be avoided, in full body armour were positioned on that this waste of human potential bridges overlooking the train terminal. can be further prevented, that this On arrival at the Jungle camp, I profiteering from human misery can stepped into what looked like a be denied, that compassion and our world on the brink of collapse. We common humanity can triumph. stopped outside a hovel, a structure • A similar trip was undertaken of wood, plastic sheeting and rope, by Andrew Atkinson, a member like all the structures on this strip of land on of the Mark on the Park Prayer Community which the French Government tolerates and which meets at St Mark’s Church, Caia Parc, allows as home to some 6,000 men, women Wrexham. The Revd Eric Owen publicised and children seeking refuge and sanctuary. It is growing daily the trip throughout the Diocese and Mr Atkinson took with new arrivals and six children were born stateless in the camp in supplies to the French camps along with £500 that was donated by 2015. A similar camp at Dunkirk we were told is home to 2,000. one individual. The money was used to buy heaters and fuel for the As we distributed the sleeping bags to an orderly and good humoured medical and dental tents in the Dunkirk camp.

Teulu Asaph is designed by Martyn Walsh, edited by Karen Maurice and printed by PWS Print Limited. The deadline for the April/May edition is 4th March. Please send copy and high quality photographs to [email protected] for inclusion. While we welcome all contributions, unfortunately we are not able to print everything.