www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi Medi/September 2013 Women Bishops: The answer is YES! The Church in Wales has voted decisively to enable women to become bishops HE vote came after a but needed two-thirds majorities in Revd Canon Sarah Geach – a beyond where the original bill inal plan to make this a two-stage seven-hour debate at the both the House of Clergy and of senior female cleric in the diocese intended. An amendment, success- transition. TSeptember meeting of the Laity. – said: “This [vote] has made the fully put by the Archdeacon of Now, instead of waiting for Governing Body and paves the The voting was: Clergy 37-10 Church whole and truly inclusive. Llandaff, Ven Peggy Jackson, a second bill making provision way for the ordination of women to (78%) in favour; Laity 57-14 As an ordained woman, I really and Revd Canon Jenny Wigley, for those unable to accept women the episcopate in a year’s time. (80%) in favour. feel I can come home.” a leading proponent of women’s The Bill had unanimous Bishop Wyn welcomed the deci- The vote takes the Church ordination, did away with the orig- continued on page 17 support from the Bench of Bishops sion as “positive, a natural step.” Bishops dedicate memorials to West Wales energy workers “Pembrokeshire, reflect on your people; through them flows our nation’s energy” WO iconic sculptures paying their workforce and those who AM; Bishop Wyn’s dedication of Ttribute to workers in the have given their lives in its service. a stone bench overlooking the mill Pembrokeshire energy industry The ceremonies marked the second pond in Pembroke was also attended have been dedicated by Bishop anniversary of an accident at the by local AM Angela Burns. Wyn and the Archbishop of Wales, Chevron plant on Milford Haven in Bishop Wyn said: “Public art Dr Barry Morgan. which four employees died. such as this is an apt expression not The sculptures were donated The Archbishop was joined at only of the grief of a community but by the energy company Chevron the ceremony in Milford Haven by a poignant reminder of the signifi- Products UK Ltd to remember the First Minister, Carwyn Jones cance of industry in this area.” Y Parch Gareth Reid yn cael ei drwyddedu fel ficer plwyf Llandysul gan yr Hybarch William Strange a’r Deon Bro, y Canon Dewi Roberts, yn eglwys Llandysul ar Fehefin 21ain. Pob hwyl iddo yntau a’i deulu yn y plwyf Hanes yn llawn ar dudalen 19 FOCUS ON UNIVERSITY LIFE – Pages 10 & 11 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, September 2013 to have any impact. only for 1½ hours a week out of outside the confi nes of church as an However, ‘being’ is as impor- 168! We need to make Christ visi- institution – in direct contact with Readers – a new vision tant as ‘saying’ and we must ble all week, not just on Sundays. those who are not yet church. Over 80 people from all over the Province attended this year’s beware of becoming obsessed with In his fi nal session, the Bishop A recent survey showed that Reader Conference, from 14-16 July, at Trinity St David’s Church and Ministry. These things presented a radical picture of 92% of male readers and 82% of University, Lampeter. are not as important as the King- reader ministry with a dual role female readers had psychologi- dom of God. – (1) being people who can bring cal profi les similar to those of the Jenny Kimber goes home with a lot to think about In the Eucharist we gather God into the conversation, wher- clergy. In other words, the Church together as the body of Christ – but ever that might be, and (2) working is still calling ‘clergy’ types to UR speaker was Rt Revd based study group or in the pub. Reader Ministry – instead of those ORobert Paterson, Bishop of We learnt that the closer the who are truly ‘lay’ in their outlook. Sodor and Man and the Chair of the Church is to what it proclaims, Only 1% of readers are under the Central Readers Council. He took and the less it is upset by trivia, the age of 40 and this will not change as his theme “The Glory of God in easier it will be to evangelise, espe- unless readers are truly ‘ lay’ and the Face of Christ – a study of 2 cially to young people. When we are doing theology. Corinthians”. are who we ought to be, then others The Bishop’s vision of readers Using Paul’s teachings, he will want to know why we are like being less concerned about leading encouraged us to regard ourselves that. As preachers we need to be worship than with sharing what we as ‘lay theologians’ – bringing God like a stained glass window. We know of God and his love with our into the conversation, whether in must tell the story clearly, and with communities, sent us all home with formal preaching, in a church- light and colour, if our message is heads buzzing. What now? openly, freely and joyously. and he highlighted, among many to be an important factor in church Signposts of hope Ven Bob Jackson gave useful other things, the church as a growth, and the churches that were insights from the mountain of ‘community’ rather than as an prepared to do new things had a This year’s Clergy Conference at Aberystwyth was on the theme statistics he had gathered and ‘attendance event’. Improving greater tendency to grow. “Leading your Churches into Growth.” Dewi Roberts is inspired compiled from St Davids Diocese, welcome and integration seemed From the statistics presented to us by Archdeacon Bob there were HE opening talks focused on reminded us that when Paul wrote clearly many encouraging areas, the Church as a Christ-centred concerning Christ, it was in order T and we were given a booklet, ‘Our community. Dr Paula Gooder gave to inform the Christian community Hopeful Stories’, containing sign- us an inspirational address on the how to live. As those “in Christ” posts of hope from around the fi rst part of Philippians 2. Her many our lives are to be shaped by the diocese, to share and distribute. insights into Paul’s thought gave life and mind of Christ. Here are two bullet points for us much to ponder. I enjoyed her The fi nal part of the conference us to ponder from the Archdeacon: remark on how she was inspired in was on the sub-theme “Church is • Most of the positive factors her translation of verse 6: “ . did an all-age community”. come under the heading of not regard being the same as God, Dr Gooder’s fi nal address was developing the Christ-centred as something to clutch”, by observ- on the opening verses of Zecha- community of the church. ing her daughter at the age of three riah 8, from which we learned the • When we improve the quality clutching in her arms all her most importance of creating spaces (safe, of who we are, our relationship precious toys to ensure that no one welcoming environments) within to God and what we do then the else could play with them. Jesus our communities/churches for the numbers tend to go up. did not clutch to power, rather he very young to the very old, so that As I refl ect on the 2013 poured himself out for us. She they are able to express themselves Dr Paula Gooder Clergy Conference I am inspired to develop further, in practice and reality, the truth of the church as a Christ-centred community, and Growing hope: with renewed focus to venture to do new things for Christ. 9 Tachwedd 2013 9.30-16.00 A day for all who want their church Cyfraniadau to fl ourish ar gyfer Pobl Dewi 9 November 2013 Y mae croeso i erthyglau University of Wales: Trinity Saint David Carmarthen oddi wrth ddarllenwyr, ac yn arbennig cyfraniadau “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans Cymraeg. for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29.11 Dylid anfon erthyglau at y Golygydd: Tessa Briggs Y now all clergy and Area Prompt booking, which [email protected] Deans will have received includes all the above and lunch, B neu fe ellir eu postio at: booking forms and full details is advised as places are limited. about this exciting, inaugural Please ensure you have your atten- Pobl Dewi, conference, which will be opened dance and workshops confi rmed by Bishop Wyn. before travelling, rather than just Swyddfa’r Esgobaeth, It is recommended that groups turning up on the day, as registra- Abergwili, of 5-10 parishioners from each tion will be taking place on arrival. Caerfyrddin benefi ce attend, who have a choice More information is available SA31 2JG Rhaid cadw lle: codir tâl of £30 ar gyfer pob bywoliaeth (hyd at 10 o bobl) of participating in a variety of from your cleric, Area Dean or Darperir lluniaeth a chinio workshops. Throughout the day, laydevelopmentteam@btinternet. wedi’u nodi at sylw ‘Y you will also be able to see displays com Cadwch y dyddiad! Manylion pellach i ddilyn. by a range of diocesan teams, and We look forward to seeing you Golygydd’ to chat to their representatives. there. Pobl Dewi, September 2013 3 Listening and hearing We have a new website .