FREE TEULU ASAPH © GERSHBERG Yuri/shutterstock.com Esgobaeth Llanelwy Diocese of St Asaph Hydref/Tachwedd October/November 2014

© fpolat69/shutterstock.com © Dona_Bozzi/shutterstock.com

While peace could take years to achieve

to whom do the persecuted turn? © Ryan Rodrick Beiler/shutterstock.com

...to whom do the persecuted turn?

Open Doors is a charity who support an online petition calling on the UK government to re- persecuted Christians around the world. spond. What can we do to help in ? Teulu The crisis in Iraq will not be solved overnight. The need Asaph asked Open Doors CEO Eddie Lyle. for practical support there will be ongoing, and thousands “What’s my future? What is the future for my children?” like Faiez are wondering what the future holds for them. Faiez, who used to be a government employee, is asking Please continue to do what you can – to give, to cam- the same question as thousands of Iraqis who have been paign, to pray. forced to flee their homes in recent weeks. His family When we read Psalm 91 there seems to be huge discon- left their home in Mosul when IS, an extremist Islamic tinuity between the promised protection and the virtual group, took over the city and gave Christians and other Armageddon that our brothers and sisters are experienc- minorities a chilling ultimatum: to convert, leave, or face ing but we are meeting people who have an irrational the sword. As they left the city, everything was taken hope which is founded in their faith in Jesus Christ. The from Faiez and his family at an IS checkpoint. “They even hope derives from the aid that is being received and sense took my son’s pocket money. It was only 250 Iraqi dinars that these most beloved of Christ are not forgotten. Some [about 10p].” have observed that there is an even greater darkness than Thousands of Christians have taken refuge in the autono- the one which IS represents and that is that men and mous region of Kurdistan. Louis Sako, the archbishop of women would not know in their heart of hearts a God Iraq, has said that some 70,000 Christians have arrived in who will hold them into eternity and a God who will wipe Erbil, and 60,000 refugees are in Dohuk. away all of their tears. We are one Church. There is not a persecuted part and a free part. This article is a prophetic call to the churches in Wales to stand with their brothers and sisters during their Gethsemane. On 16 November we are encouraging our supporters to join us in an International Day of Prayer for the persecut- ed church – not only in Iraq, but around the world. Please join us. You may even want to hold your own ‘secret church’ meeting that day to help you and your church Lydia, a representative of Open Doors, was recently vis- identify with the world’s hidden Christians and pray for iting a church in Erbil that is helping 260 families, 216 of them more effectively – you can find out more at www. whom are staying in the courtyard of the church. Every opendoorsuk.org/secretchurch. day they give breakfast, lunch and dinner to over 1,000 people. “The thought came into my mind that this must cost a fortune. Then I realised that the help this church Please donate what you can to support persecuted can give is supported financially by Open Doors and the Christians across the Middle East. church worldwide,” Lydia told us. “Prayer and giving You can donate to Christian money often feels like it is too easy, but it’s not! It is mak- charities including: ing a huge difference in places like this.” The response to the crisis in Iraq by Christians in the UK Open Doors, and Ireland has been phenomenal. More than £1 million Christian Aid, has been donated to Open Doors’ emergency appeal, al- lowing us to provide ongoing support to thousands of Barnabas Fund families like Faiez’s, including food, hygiene kits and bed- Find their details on the back page. ding. Meanwhile more than 30,000 people have signed

2 © Ryan Rodrick Beiler/shutterstock.com “We must not be afraid to speak out” Bishop Gregory

I don’t know about you, but I have been appalled by the You may also be thinking about the threat on our news over the Summer. Amidst all the ongoing concerns own shores from those who are “radicalized”. (Syria, Egypt, South Sudan, Nigeria) two very distinct Why is the narrative “Come and fight to free your events grieved me: Israel’s onslaught in Gaza and the on- brothers” so successful for young Muslim men in Brit- going Islamic State onslaught in Iraq. ain? I believe we have to make friends and common I want to be a friend of Israel. The Jewish people deserve cause with moderate Muslim leaders in this country to and require security but a peaceful future will only ever help defuse the alienation from Britain felt by many be achieved in Gaza if each side will make space for the Muslim youths. other. If Israel wants my support, it has to learn that the Why has a DEC appeal been set up way to peace doesn’t come through killing your oppo- for Gaza but not Iraq? nents’ mothers, wives and children. Of course, Hamas I suspect that it is a lot less clear what aid could achieve aggravated and manipulated the situation, but I expect at the moment. Gaza – terrible as that situation is – is a democratic nation to live by a higher standard. An on- fairly obviously in need of rebuilding. We have no clear slaught on the innocent like that must not happen again. strategy even yet to know what we want to achieve The barbarity of the Islamic State appalls me. My heart with those threatened by ISIS. and soul go out to my Christian brothers and sisters who are being crucified, beheaded, and raped in Iraq, and not As well as writing and giving, we also need to pray. The only them, but every minority that does not conform to ancient church had a prayer in the language that Jesus the orders of IS. I want to send them my prayers and my used: “Maranatha”. It is Aramaic and means “Come, solidarity. Lord”. Please find opportunities to pray publically: One of the callings of the Church, under God, is to speak the truth to power. We need to be speaking as individuals In our midst and in our distress: and as an organization to our politicians, MPs and AMs maranatha. to goad them into further action. We need to be active In Iraq and in Syria: in assisting organizations like Amnesty, Christian Aid and maranatha. others, so that our fine thoughts can be turned into prac- In Israel, Palestine and Gaza: tical assistance. Find out how you can contact your MP maranatha. on the back page of this edition of Teulu Asaph. In all places of need and for all who You might be thinking: should we send in troops live in fear: maranatha. to fight IS in Iraq? The danger is that any intervention makes things worse rather than better. It also plays into the ISIS “storyline” In this edition of Teulu Asaph you will have read about which wants to portray the West as an aggressor the work of Open Doors who support persecuted Chris- against Islam. Better to support local action. The radi- tians around the world. I commend their work to you cal barbarism of ISIS, which is directed against Muslims and encourage you to find out more about them as well as much as anyone else, has ensured that many people as joining them in the International Day of Prayer for the want to see an end to them in the Middle East itself. persecuted Church on Sunday 16 November.

3 Cofio’r Remembering the Rhyfel Mawr Great War

WRTH FEDDWL AM y seremoni allan yn Fflandrys Mis Awst eleni sef seremoni i ddadorchuddio cofeb i gofio y bobol o Gymru a aberthodd eu bywydau, neu wnaeth ddioddef yn y rhyfel byd cyntaf, ‘roedd yn naturiol i mi fel merch o Drawsfynydd feddwl am Hedd Wyn sef bardd y Gadair Ddu. Tra yn filwr yn y rhyfel byd cyntaf bydd iddo enill cadair yr Eistedfod Genedlaethol, ond oherwydd iddo ynghyd a llawer milwr arall o Gymru golli ei fywyd yn y rhyfel ni allodd dderbyn ei wobr fel prif fardd. Wrth dderbyn gwybodaeth gan y Cynghroydd Phil Ed- wards Cadeirydd pwyllgor Gogledd Cymru o’r ymgyrch i sicrhau bod cofeb deilwng yn cael ei gosod yn Fflandrys i gofio y rhai o ddrais Gymreig, bu iddo gyfeirio at y ber- thynas a sefydlwyd cydrhwng Isgoed Williams o Drawsf- ynydd a Lieven Dehandschutter o wlad Belg. Bu i Lieven fod yn Nrhawsfynydd ar wyliau fel hogyn ifanc. Fe ddys- godd am hanes y prifardd Hedd Wyn ac mi ddaeth i gy- A FITTING MONUMENT has been unveiled in Flanders sylltiad gyda Cynghorydd lleol sef Isgoed Williams. to remember the Welsh soldiers who lost their lives dur- Oherwydd hyn oll, dyna ddechrau cyfeillgarwch sydd ing WW1. Councillor Phil Edwards is chair of the North- wedi parhau hyd heddiw. Fe ddysgodd Lieven Gymraeg Wales committee of a national fundraising campaign for ar liwt ei hun ac mae o bellach yn hollol rhugl, ac yn Faer the monument. In the Welsh article he refers to the es- dros ardal St Niklaas, Gwlad y Belg. Drwy y cyfeillgarwch tablished relationship between Isgoed Williams of Trawsf- yma gosodwyd teyrnged i Hedd Wyn ym mhentre Lange- ynydd and Lieven Dehandschutter from Belgium. Lieven, mark ger Ypres yn 1997. following a holiday in North Wales embarked on a journey Adnabyddwyd nad oedd cofeb i’r Cymry oedd wedi colli of getting to know all about Hedd Wyn who is known as eu bywydau ar feysydd Fflandrys, ac mae Cymru oedd yr the Black Chair Bard. Having being killed in the war Hedd unig wlad yno heb gofeb. Wyn was not able to attend the Eisteddfod to receive the Rhoddwyd darn o dir gan yr awdurdod lleol a sefydlwyd Bardic Chair. Lieven is now a fluent Welsh speaker, and pwyllgor yn Flandrys ac yng Nghymru i godi arian ar gyfer with Isgoed Williams was responsible for the plaque that codi cofeb deilwng. was erected in Ypres in 1997 to remember the famous Ar y dwirnod mawr, dydd Sadwrn 16eg Awst 2014 fe Welsh bard. The monument unveiled by First Minister ddaeth o ddeutu 1,500 o Gymry at eu gilydd ar brynhawn Carwyn Jones in August 2014 is to commemorate all who braf i weld Gweinidog Cyntaf Cymru, Carwyn Jones yn lost their lives. Peter Carter Jones, co-ordinator of the dadorchuddio y ddraig goch sydd bellach yn sefyll yn gref fundraising committee said: ar ben y gromlech o gerrig gafodd eu roi i’r ymgyrch am “At a chance meeting in 2010 I learned there was no sin- ddim gan chwarel o Bontypridd, a’r ddraig yn waith yr gle welsh memorial for all the Welsh fallen. We want- artist Lee Odishow. ed to change that. The memorial’s artist is from Tenby, Meddai Y cynghorydd Phil Edwards “Mae wedi bod yn the stones from Pontypridd and the dragon was made in fraint mawr chwarae rhan fach yn yr ymgyrch fawr yma. north Wales. Every bit of it is Welsh. People not born yet Mi oedd yn benwythnos bythgofiadwy ac emosioynol will come here to remember the dreadful history this me- dros ben i ni gyd” morial represents. We will not forget them.”

4 ...at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them...

Cefn Mawr society choir, along with members St John’s Church and Cefn Community of the clergy and congregation. Council joined together to organise a The collection of songs and poems commemoration for the start of WW1. reflected the different aspects of The service started at the War memorial war: feelings of patriotism, nostalgia, in Cefn Mawr, where the names of grief - and also humour in the face of those who died in the conflict were read adversity. A ‘packed house’ joined in out (more than 100 of them) and local the singing with enthusiasm. children laid pink and white flowers on The evening concluded with a silence the memorial. observed between the ‘Last Post ‘ and Members of the Community Council, ‘Reveille,’ played on the cornet by 13 Susan Elan Jones MP and Ken Skates AM year old Alex Derosa, a pupil at St then led those present to the church where Joseph’s High School in . the service finished with hymns, prayers

and readings. After the service there © Nathaniel Ramanaden Llansilin was an exhibition of local memorabilia to Candelit Vigil, St Asaph Many visitors enjoyed a visit to look around, all of which had been lent St Silin’s, Llansilin, over the Bank by members of the congregation, the Holiday weekend to see an exhibition community council and their friends. about the local heroes who fought in WW1. The event also included Deganwy a WW1 Variety performance and All Saints’ Church is home to the Llanrhos a very moving community WW1 Parish War Memorial and contains the Commemoration Service. names of one hundred and seven men

who died in WW1 – twenty-seven were War Memorial, Deganwy St Asaph from Deganwy. St Asaph Cathedral hosted a special The names of the men were read out by civic service to commemorate the Mrs Mavis Tew. Cllr Ruth Parker, Mayor 100th anniversary of WW1. It was of Conwy, laid an arrangement of red, attended by civic dignitaries including green and white flowers on the memorial Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of and also led the prayers. The service was Clwyd, Mr Henry Fetherstonhaugh. led by Revd Pam Wright, the Mayor’s During the service Bishop Gregory Chaplain. preached before an Act of Remembrance and the singing of both Wrexham National Anthems. Bishop Gregory St Margaret’s Church Hall held a said: “It is fitting to be mindful of the commemoration in Wrexham organised sacrifices made and of the terrible by the St Giles’ Mothers’ Union branch. cost of war.” They raised £860 for ‘Help for Heroes’ To commemorate the evening war and MU charities. was declared, a candlelit vigil was Taking part in the programme were the MU held at the Cenotaph in St Asaph 100 ‘Six Churches’ Choir, the St Giles’ Men’s Susan Elan Jones MP, Cefn Mawr years on. © Rodionov Oleg/shutterstock.com

5 Church News

cy in our lifetime or even in the next her previous role in Hawarden joined Woman bishop generation but I believe God can call family, fellow clergy and ecumenical makes history in whoever He wants to call.” friends for the occasion. Now that the has Meanwhile Revd Matthew Wilkin- St Asaph changed its law to allow women to son has been inducted to the Parish be ordained as Bishops, Bishop Gayle of Chirk following Revd Tony Rees’ says people have to be prepared to retirement while Revd Kate Tiltman live together with difference on the is the new Vicar of Rhosymedre and issue. She said: Ruabon. “There are still two parishes that I may not visit as their Bishop because they are against women’s ordination – but they are still a part of our Di- ocese. They are not ostracised and the Rectors of those two churches St Asaph made history in the summer are very warm and generous with me as Bishop Gayle Harris from the Unit- when we meet collegially as clergy ed States became the first Anglican in our Diocese. For us to be inclusive woman bishop to preside and preach it means also including those who in a Welsh Cathedral. would exclude us.” There have also been two exciting The Right Revd Gayle Harris, who is developments in our Mission Areas. Suffragen Bishop of Massachusetts New Clergy & Wrexham has welcomed Revd Phil preached and led the Eucharist at the Pioneer Priests start Bettinson as a pioneer minister there. morning service on 31 August. Bishop Gregory has appointed him After the service, she revealed that work on a second curacy with the remit to she feels very at home in Wales be- “draw the town and its centre into cause her ancestors were Welsh. She the life of the Church.” said: “My research revealed I have The Mission Area of Dyffyn Clwyd links with Britain, in the south-east of is also welcoming a pioneer priest in England. Part of my DNA is Welsh Revd Dot Gosling from the Diocese and another part Irish so I feel at of Chester. Dot will work with young home! I love coming to Wales, I love people and families in Dyffryn Cl- the people here and their warmth, wyd and was inducted to the role by generosity and the hospitality I re- Bishop Gregory on Tuesday 30 Sep- ceive.” tember during a service to formally It’s been 25 years since the United Bishop Gregory has inducted three recognise Dyffryn Clwyd as a Mission States had its first woman bishop but priests to their new roles in parishes Area. Commenting on these pioneer Bishop Gayle says every part of the across the Diocese. Revd Paulette ministry appointments, Bishop Greg- Church must travel this journey at Gower has become the new Vicar ory said: “I hope that the opportunity their own pace. She added: of Gwersyllt. At her induction on to do something new and flexible in “There are places where we may not Monday 1 September at a packed support of 2020 Vision will assist us see women ordained to the episcopa- Holy Trinity Church, supporters from in ‘Unlocking our Potential’.”

6 Growth is a long journey...

This year the Diocesan Conference will be all about 2020 Vision as we take the theme “Unlocking our Potential” for the gathering in Llangollen on Saturday 11 October. Our keynote speaker will be Canon Linda Jones who is Direc- tor of Church Growth for the Diocese of Liverpool and is also a Lay Canon at Liverpool Cathedral. Linda believes the Church has let the down by refusing to engage with the culture and wants to encourage us to share our faith with others by working together in the communi- ties we serve. Teulu Asaph editor Phil Topham went to meet Linda at Liverpool Cathedral.

How do you approach your work in “It’s being prepared to journey with people to a Liverpool Diocese? place that neither you nor they have been to be- In our Diocese we are really privileged to be able to fore”. That can be very threatening for lots of us call ourselves mixed economy because we have em- who see a traditional ABC style conversion. braced working in different ways ever since Mission Shaped Church (Church of England report, 2004) And for our churches to grow, surely we need to came out. The original title for Mission Shaped show that vulnerability so that people are convert- Church in the report was “Dying to Live”. It was ed and become part of our church? decided that it was too provocative but it speaks Of course. The big “in word” at the moment is into the fact that I think we, as a Church, need to discipleship and everyone is pushing discipleship repent of how we courses but it’s not about academic learning and have let down our doing a course that ticks a box, it’s about us being country because we apprentices. If we think of ourselves more as ap- have not engaged prentices and that we are on a journey together we with the culture. will recognise that we need to go on being convert- People have moved ed so that people ask us “what is the hope within from thinking that you?” I think we have shied away from that a lot. Church is boring and irrelevant to looking The Harries Review said that going forward things for that “something in the Church in Wales needed to change. Would else” in a whole host of other things. What we that be your interpretation as well? don’t realise is that is the potential we can unlock Absolutely and I think the words that shouted from in people to use the phrase from St Asaph. We can the pages were about recapturing our vision of the unlock that in other people by being who we are Church as a movement with a message to share. and sharing our faith. We can work together. That says it all. It’s a movement, it’s not a stolid institution. We can use our resources together. So So is reaching out to our communities this means we use the pretty church for the wed- your big passion? dings but then if we have got a hall that we can hire I think it is, alongside us becoming hosts. We are we can meet there instead of in the church. not leaders who are telling people but we are hosts I have heard of one church in Deganwy that meets

DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL - UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL - UNLOCKING EIN POTENSIAL DATGLOI who welcome people in. With that hosting comes in a cinema so let’s go and be where people are and a vulnerability and it’s Vincent Donovan who said let’s turn ourselves into a movement.

7 What do you think the most challenging thing will be for us as a Church as part of 2020 Vision? I think the biggest challenge is to move people who don’t want to be moved and that is very, very difficult. It comes back to that vulnera- bility and what excites me when I read about 2020 Vision is that it’s all about giving away and that is a big Christian principle. Crucifixion and resurrection is the central part of our Christian the time is now story which we don’t talk about enough. Llandudno Conference to How will you challenge us on October 11th when you come to speak at the Conference? drive 2020 Vision What I am hoping to emphasize is that it’s not Parishioners from congregations across Wales rocket science. Now, you might say “what is will gather in Llandudno in November for a the point of going?” but the truth is I haven’t landmark conference to share ideas about the got quick fixes and it’s a long process that takes future of the Church in Wales. time. You don’t trip over mountains, you trip The Diocese of St Asaph will join the other five on the boulders along the way and we must Dioceses in sending delegates to Venue Cym- be prepared to hold people, heal them and love ru for the two-day event to explore how major them as we trip over those boulders together. change is happening across the Province as part of our strategy for growth under the banner of What part of 2020 Vision do you think 2020 Vision. we should focus in on as we try and In all, around 200 people, lay and ordained will take this forward? attend the conference which is called “The Time I think it’s teamwork. It’s about seeing our or- Is Now” on 21st and 22nd November. There dained leaders respecting that role but releasing will be 30 representatives from each diocese as everybody so that we are not just looking to well as the Church in Wales bishops. somebody else to do it. It’s about teamwork Each diocese will participate in a series of dis- and it’s about sustainable working and taking cussions and presentations on themes linked risks. We are in a risky business, we are vulner- to the change agenda. The themes will include able. For example, I will willingly rave to some- team building, reaching younger people, creat- body about a hotel I have stayed in but how ing Mission Areas and recruiting lay leaders. often do I rave about what God has done in my A key-note address will be given by the inter- life today? nationally acclaimed theologian, Dr Christina Baxter CBE, former Chair of the Church of Eng- So it’s about evangelism and shared ministry? land’s General Synod’s House of Laity, former Maybe more than shared ministry it’s about Principal of St John’s Theological College, Not- shared mission. We have got to realise that we tingham, and a lay canon of Southwell. are so far back in our culture because we have The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, missed so many opportunities and it’s a long, said, “This conference is about winning peo- long journey but we have a God who will trav- ple’s hearts and minds in order to continue a el every step of the way with us. cultural change that has already begun in the The full interview with Linda way people think about church. is on the Diocesan Con- “We want to do ‘church’ different- ference page of our ly so that the great resources DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL - UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL - UNLOCKING EIN POTENSIAL DATGLOI website. we have can be used much

8 entirely on MissionAreas inthe contextofSt With nonefrom Bangor, thediscussioncentred cluded thoseofaverydifferent outlook? ficulties if a ministry team in a Mission Area in understanding of the faith. Would there be dif any particularproblems forthosesharingthat ask ifthedevelopmentofMissionAreas posed The conference in Denbigh was organised to gelically mindedpeoplewithinourchurches. EFCW existstoprovide aforumformore evan Denbigh. of Dean September, Northern DiocesesofBangorandStAsaphin ship oftheChurch inWales (EFCW) forthetwo conference organised bytheEvangelicalFellow This provocative titlewasusedforamorning Blessing? Mission Areas:Baneor your 2020VisionSunday. wales.org.uk/review tofindoutmore andplan the provincial website.Visitwww.churchin mons availableforchurches todownloadfrom There will be themedprayers, readings and ser and prayfor2020Vision. an opportunity for congregations to focus on Taking placeonSunday16November, itwillbe by theBishopscalled2020VisionSunday. November, aspecialSundayhasbeensetaside Ahead ofour“TheTime isNow”conference in 2020 VisionSunday the Church inWales.” and takeawayaclearvisionforthefuture of learn from oneother, beenthusedandinspired over theProvince toshare whattheyare doing, conference willbeachanceforpeoplefrom all more effectively thanatpresent. Hopefully, this writes Revd Jonathan Smith, Area Area Smith, Jonathan Revd writes [email protected] Ty Cerrig,CorwenLL219RP01490413520 Snellgrove, TheRectory, YrHenBerllan,Ffordd people interested tojoinshouldcontactMartin of EFCWintheDiocesenearfuture. Any It was hoped there would be more gatherings the heartofEFCWpeoplebothclergy andlay. ment understandingofchurch whichiscloseto were verymuchattheheartofNewTesta and someofthewiderconcepts2020Vision outreach, itwasconcludedthatMissionAreas that allpresent shared aheartformissionand outlooks was an impossible problem. Given None feltthatworkingwithpeopleofdiffering nition oftheirstrengths andweaknesses. concept ofMissionAreas andageneralrecog sion Areas. There wasmuchreflection onthe very different stageoftheprocess towards Mis across thediocesewere represented eachata Asaph Diocese. Atotalofsixdeaneriesfrom informally. The course has three core modules training courses,whichcanbeusedflexiblyand lection ofsix-weekdiscipleship,reflection and The LivingandLearningseriesisagrowing col begin toformministryteams. believe; tohelpthemgrow indiscipleshipandto Areas to help them explore togetherwhat they be used by local groups in churches or Mission Course mightbeabletohelp.It’s designedto church orMissionArea, theLivingandLearning If theseare questionsthatyouare askinginyour Area? How canweworktogethermore asaMission God callingustochangeandgrow asaChurch? What isGodcallingmetobeanddo?How Areas church thinkaboutMission helps Living &Learning - - - -

9 DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL - UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL 10 Seminars were alsoledbyRevdCanon Rich place, exile, lament andpilgrimage. the dayduringEvening Prayer. Hespokeon poet andjournalistwho tied upthethemesof ished withareflection from MartynHalsall,a ically talkingaboutWales. Eacheveningfin ing thistoChurch lifeinBritainbefore specif using hervastknowledgeofsociologyandlink Professor GraceDavieledthekeynotesessions, and humility. couraged theclergy tothinkaboutconflict,love lippians asthebasisforhisreflections anden the IonaCommunityinScotland.HeusedPhi Morning PrayerwasledbyRevdJohnBellfrom Bell andMartynHalsall. ers at St Anne’s College were Grace Davie, John clergy schoolandthis timethekeynotespeak Every three years,BishopGregory hoststhe “Pressing onwiththeGospel”. Oxford inSeptemberforaconference called Clergy from across theDiocesegathered in with theGospel Clergy urgedtoPresson gmail.com or01352840842. Richard Hainsworthonexploringfaithasaph@ For more informationpleasecontactRevdDr and there are noassignments. the modulesdonotinvolveanyheavyreading They are aimedat‘everydaychurch members’, faith together. and todolearnreflect ontheirlifeand groups consider what God is calling them to be and CalledbyGod.Theyare designedtohelp called Church fortheFuture, LivingScripture ------sets from SteveDayandBarbaraNice. too –Tony Vinocomperingtheeveningbefore Clergy were treated toanightofcleancomedy website: bit.ly/1nJP3wa quiet prayer. Allthetalkscanbeheard onour field JackNichollsledatimeof reflection and On thefinalmorning retired BishopofShef Vision intheDioceseofLlandaff. which isbeingusedasanexpression of2020 duced clergy totheSevenSacred Spacesmodel about MissionAreas and2020Vision.Heintro ard Lowndesfrom Llandaff Diocesewhospoke and wecanall supportoneanother. ness willbeoften beanotherperson’s strength, the missionofChurch. Oneperson’s weak the gifts that’s needed in any locality to carry out called toworktogether. Noonepersonhasall no-one exercises ministry inisolation,weare all “At theheartofthisprospectus isthebeliefthat Ceridwen James,Director of Ministrysaid: Commenting ontheprospectus, RevdManon attend anycourse. Together was just for the laity. Now anyone can ing daysandmanypeoplethoughtthatTraining Previously only clergy could attend clergy train Diocese underthebannerof2020Vision. help everyonebeequippedforministryinthe Available free ofcharge ithasasimpleaim:to Diocesan Conference onSaturday 11October. the Dioceseduring2015willbelaunchedat nities availableforclergy andlaypeopleacross A prospectus whichlistsallthetrainingopportu prospectus launched Training Together tour ofOxford ontheWednesday afternoon. Bishop Gregory takingsomeoftheclergy ona The pictures showJohnBellleadingworshipand - - - - -

DATGLOI EIN POTENSIAL - UNLOCKING OUR POTENTIAL Your News

as humans. They all worshipped Bala youth enjoy and prayed for each other and two Byd Mary Jones yn Soul Survivor of them made firm commitments to Agor Jesus and have returned to tell others about it. Bydd Byd Mary Jones, canolfan Six young people from Bala enjoyed “We were berated for not taking ymwelwyr a chanolfan addysg o’r radd worship, teaching, prayer and fun them before and begged to book up flaenaf, a grëwyd gan gymdeithas y at this year’s Soul Survivor festival. early for next year when they would Beibl ar lan Llyn Tegid, yn cael ei hagor It takes place over six days every invite all their friends to come. We yn swyddogol ar ddydd Sul, 5 Hydref, summer in Scotland, Stafford and could have started something we daucanmlwyddiant marw’r Parchedig Somerset and this year the talks took can’t stop! Now we need to pray with Thomas Charles. Bydd y ganolfan on theme of “relationships”. and for those who came to persevere yn rhoi cyfle i bobl ddarganfod stori Adrian and Hilary Murray have been in their Christian faith.” Mary Jones a Thomas Charles a dysgu leading the youth work in Bala since am effaith y llyfr sy’n gwerthu orau 2005 and this year took six youth to Marble Church yn y byd, nid yn unig yng Nghymru Stafford, camping with 5000 other praised for guest ond yng ngweddill y byd. Bydd y young people. diwrnod yn cychwyn am 12.30pm, access gyda gorymdaith o Gapel Tegid yn y Bala i Fyd Mary Jones yn Llanycil – St Mary’s Church in Bodelwyddan croeso i bawb. Dilynir yr orymdaith has been commended for its disabled gan seremoni agor breifat i 300 o access and for helping older visitors wahoddedigion. Yn ystod mis Hydref, to enjoy a good day out. bydd y ganolfan ar agor yn ddyddiol The Marble Church includes ramps o’r 6 Hydref tan 31 Hydref 2014, and good toilet facilities and was rhwng 10am a 4pm. Bydd cyfradd highlighted as offering older and ostyngol arbennig o £3 i oedolion a As well as enjoying the morning less able guests a “stress free” day £1 i blant drwy gydol mis Hydref. and evening events, they were able out in a report carried out by Silver Mary Jones World – which has been to take part in different sports and Travel Advisor. St Mary’s was also created inside St ’s Church at attend seminars, as well as listening praised for having on road parking Llanycil near Bala – will open for the to the Archbishop of Canterbury facilities. The picture below shows first time on Sunday 5 October, the Justin Welby who popped in to the the entrance to the Marble Church 200th anniversary of Revd Thomas event. with its disabled access. Charles’ death. The day will begin Commenting on the trip, Hilary said: with a procession from Capel Tegid in “Our young people were absolutely Bala at 12.30pm to Mary Jones World amazed by the event. Some of – everyone is welcome. There will them only came for the sports and then be a private opening ceremony ended up really appreciating the for 300 guests. The centre will open talks which were so apt and ranged daily until 31 October before closing from true friendship right through for winter and re-opening in March. to celibacy and sexual relationships, In October the entry fee is £3 for clearly explaining God’s best for us adults and £1 for children.

11 Your News

vicarage. Roger said: Community gathers “I’m certainly looking forward to Archdeacon Bob for Revd Roger’s going to church and being able to sit crowns Queen of with them, rather than having me at retirement the front and them at the back!” Llandegla

Congregations in and Cathedral’s first Buttington joined together to celebrate ever artist in Revd Roger Bird’s retirement. He has served as Vicar there for the past 22 residence years and seen St Aelhaiarn’s Church in Guilsfield grow to 130 people most Sunday mornings. The parish held a joint service in Guilsfield at the end of August followed by a lunch in the village’s Abbott © Geoff former school. Church Treasurer Mr Archdeacon Bob crowned 10-year- Trevor Trevor said: old Nia Thompson Queen of the “Roger’s ability to inspire, lead, guide, Llandegla village fete. More than 200 and cajole has led us to achieve many people gathered for it at the Llandegla things we did not believe possible. St Asaph Cathedral is hosting an Memorial Field in September. He has transformed the church. His artist in residence for the first time in final achievement, one which he its 1400-year history. Interdisciplinary Joseph in a week in has cherished for many years, has artist Angela Davies will spend the Towyn been the decoration of the interior next six months working in the of the church. He has inspired his Translators’ Chapel responding to and congregation to become leaders exploring the theme of “pilgrimage” of worship rather than passive following the Diocese of St Asaph’s acceptors.” Year of Pilgrimage. The residency is a joint initiative between St Asaph Cathedral and the Arts Council of Wales and will be curated and managed by Addo. Commenting on her new project, Children enjoyed rehearsing and Angela said: “It will be a privilege performing Joseph at St Mary’s to work in such a fantastic space Church in Towyn over the summer. like the Cathedral. Pilgrimage is not The children spent the week practicing necessarily a physical journey but before a performance in the Church Roger and Barbara will retire in the embarking on any journey and having on the Friday evening. community where they have so many a reflective and perhaps spiritual Revd Ginny Burton said: “The friends, to a new home just around experience to inform the direction children worked so hard and the the corner from their Guilsfield that one may take.” musical came together really well.”

12 Eich newyddion chi

Children’s group Prayer diary blossoms in Berriew connects Church and community A children’s group in Berriew has blossomed into a youth club for For the past two years the Bro Famau secondary school children. Group of Parishes in Flintshire have Teen Seekers gathers together young been using a prayer diary to help them people in year 6 and above who are to connect with their local community. too old for the children’s group Little It is published every month with the Saints. They gather once a month local parish magazine and people are Pilgrims reflect with to learn about the Christian faith and encouraged to use it every day in also have the opportunity to take part their own prayers and devotions. It nature in Llangar in services at Berriew Church. features church events and festivals Curate Esther Yates said: but there is a big emphasis on local Pilgrims from the Corwen Group of “Over the past two years more than things that are taking place in the parishes were encouraged to think 30 children have experienced the joy parishes. Revd Adrian Copping said: about what God might be saying to of being young Christians. “Some of it is to do with church life them through their senses during a “We are happy to say that Little but some of it is simply to do with pilgrimage from St John’s Church to Saints have produced the springboard the life of the parishes whether Llangar in August. It began with a for regular worship. Many of the that is social, economic or a local reflection on Elijah’s encounter with youngsters read prayers in two of the organisation’s events. God at Horeb (1 Kings 19) in the services every month and the older “It seems like a great way of linking “still, small voice” rather than in the children serve at the altar and have the prayer life of the church to the strong wind, earthquake or fire which the opportunity to lead the family day to day life of the communities we he first experienced. Once inside service.” seek to serve.” Llangar Church, pilgrims thought about Jesus’ gift of using the natural world to speak about the Kingdom of Heaven before reading Psalm 19 and singing “How Great Thou Art”. The pilgrimage was organised by Revd Canon Martin Snellgrove who said: “At several places bold brambles were crossing the track. This spoke to me of the evil which readily invades our lives and needs to be recognised and resisted. It is good practice to ask God to speak to us in bible study but this suggests God speaks to us in other activities too.”

13 barbeque in the evening. Sunday Llantysilio enjoy featured morning worship before the pilgrimage weekend culminated in an open air service in the churchyard led by the weekend Llangollen Silver Band. Commenting on the weekend, Ann Lamb from Llantysilio Church hosted a Deanery Llangollen said: “The congregation of celebration of pilgrimage in the Llantysilio Church worked very hard summer as parishioners came to ensure that it was a very successful together to enjoy guided walks, and enjoyable weekend.” pilgrim’s prayers and poetry, an evening concert and even an open air Y Bala Boreau service. The weekend of celebrations began Hwyl ifanc sydd yn barod I gynnal y gemau with a Friday evening concert called a;r gweithgareddau ac yna grwp “Sing a Song of Summer” with the Yn Eglwys Crist , Y Bala rydym ers arall o bobl sydd wrthi yn darparu y opportunity to view display boards sawl blwyddyn bellach yn cynnal lluniaeth amser cinio. Mae yn gyfle featuring famous pilgrimage sites Bore Hwyl ar gyfer plant rhyw 4 i 5 da iawn i ddod i adnabod y plant around the world. Saturday morning gwaith y flwyddyn. Fel arfer bydd ac i weld y mwynhad a gant wrth saw guided walks to Valle Crucis thema ar gyfer y diwrnod neu stori gyfarfod plant eraill, heb sôn am fod Abbey, Velvet Hill and Bryntysilio along o’r Beibl a gweithgareddau wedi’u yn brysur wrth y gweithgareddau. with a treasure hunt and orienteering cynllunio i gyd fynd â hynny. Rydym Bydd gwaith y plant yn cael ei for the younger generation. Poems yn croesawi rhwng 15 a 25 o arddangos yn yr Eglwys i bawb allu by Robert Browning – a friend of the blant,sydd yn mwynhau stori, canu, rhannu yn beth aeth ymlaen. Fel famous Shakespearean actress Helen a phob math o weithgareddau. Mae arfer mae patrwm y diwrnod yn Faucit Martin – were read before a gennym dim da o oedolion a phobl debyg. Cyrraedd, cofrestri, gemau, stori, 2 weithgaredd, diod a bisged, 2 weithgaredd, canu, rhannu y neges a chinio. Bydd yr oedolion yn gyfrifol am weithgaredd ac yn atgoffa’r plant beth yw cyswllt y weithgaredd a wnant o fewn y thema/ stori. Nid yw beth a wnawn yn union fel Messy Church ond mae yn fersiwn ni ein hunain ohono! Christ Church in Bala’s fun mornings

© Gail Johnson/shutterstock.com for children are their version of Messy Church. Each meeting is based on a theme or Bible story and is led by a team of adults and young helpers. The children’s craft work is then displayed for all the Church to enjoy.

14 Focus on Schools

The link between the parish and its church school is vital and by formally commissioning our new Headteachers in this way we are nurturing and enabling this.” Each new head is presented with the keys to the school

Best ever GCSE results at St Joseph’s Church school Teenagers at St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School in Wrexham have achieved their best ever GCSE results with 35% of all grades being given an A* or an A grade. More than 84% passed at least 5 of the exams at grade A*- C which is well above the Wrexham average of 77%. There were also some great individual successes with one student receiving 9 A* grades and six pupils getting 12 A* and A grades. Headteacher, Mrs Maria B Rimmer commented: and a Bible during the service to support and encourage “Everyone is delighted. Yet again, St Joseph’s pupils have their new role. The Bishop will also commission new built on the strong successes of previous years and I, and Heads at Pentrobin and Borthyn later this year. all the Staff and Governors at the school, congratulate them warmly on their fabulous achievements. End of term celebrations in “I want them to know that their hard work, abilities and Overton commitment have been recognised in these results. I want them to enjoy them, then to build on them, and to Children from St Mary’s Church School in Overton cel- go on out into the world and share their gifts, skills and ebrated the end of term by decorating the North Aisle talents wisely and well.” windows of the Parish Church with stained glass artwork depicting Christian symbols. New Headteachers welcomed by Year 5 pupils then presented year 6 pupils with lighted candles in the School Leaving Service to show them that Bishop Gregory God would be with them in their new school and in the Bishop Gregory has been visiting parishes who have years ahead. welcomed a new headteacher to their Church School this term. At and Whitford, Bishop Gregory has attended special services to commission Justine Baldwin as Headteacher of Ysgol Gungrog VC School and

© chrisdorney/shutterstock.com Bryan Griffiths as Headteacher at Ysgol y Llan VA School (pictured). Rosalind Williams Director of Education and Lifelong learning said: “The commissioning service is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the new Headteacher to the parish that supports the school. Also taking part in the service are the parents, children, staff and governors.

15 O gwmpas yr Esgobaeth Around the Diocese

Mary Jones World - Could you be a volunteer? Bible Saturday 8 November - A concert for the 100th Society who run the centre need welcomers, people who can anniversary of WW1, 7.30pm at St Giles’ Church, Wrexham. open and close the centre and who can work as guides. Full Featuring the Guilsfield Singers in association with the Royal training will be given. Contact Nerys Pritchard on 07810750983 British Legion. The programme will include works by Holst, or [email protected] Parry, Byrd and Karl Jenkins. Tickets £9.00 (concessions £7.50, 16 and under free) at the door or from 01978 355808 or email Friday 10 October - 7.30pm at Silin’s Church, Llansilin, [email protected] SY10 7QB. A concert of Celtic harp music by the talented musician, Harriet Earis. Church is fully accessible. Saturday 15 November - Coffee morning and competition at St Giles’ Church, Wrexham. Prize for the best Saturday 11 October - Diocesan Conference at Victoria Sponge or scones. Details from Diane on 01978 Llangollen Pavilion at 10am. Unlocking our Potential. See page 266506. 7 for more details. Monday 24 - Saturday 29 November - Prestatyn Saturday 18 October - Coffee morning and competition Parish Church 9th Festival of Christmas Trees. All decorated by at St Giles’ Church, Wrexham. Prize for the best preserve. local schools and organisations. Music, gifts & refreshments. Details from Diane on 01978 266506. Weekdays 1pm-5pm with late night Thursday until 7pm. Wednesday 22 October - Fashion Show featuring Barn Saturday 10.30am -3.30pm. Adults £2, children £1. Family Boutique of Plassey, 7.00pm at St Giles’ Church, Wrexham. ticket £5. Tickets £8 to include refreshments, at the door or from 01978 Wednesday 26 November - Prestatyn Parish Church 355808 / [email protected] Festival Concert with Cor Meibion Brymbo. 7.30pm. Tickets Friday 24 October - Auction of Promises raising money £8 in advance or £10 on the door available from Bonne Amie for Cursillo. Halkyn Cricket Club, Pentre Halkyn at 7.00pm. or 01745 853504. Free entry with 40 promises to be auctioned including a Spanish Saturday 29 November - Concert by Ruth and the Holiday. More details from Heather Chidley 01244 813857. Ranters. 7.30pm in St. David’s Church, Connah’s Quay as part Saturday 25 October - Concert by the Chester Ladies’ of their centenary celebrations. Price £4 including nibbles and Choir. 7.30pm in St. David’s Church, Connah’s Quay as part a glass of wine. of their centenary celebrations. Price £5 including nibbles and Saturday 6 December - Colwyn Choral Society will a glass of wine. perform works by Rutter, Purcell, Vaughan Williams and Widor Wednesday 29 October - Concert by the Resurrection at St Paul’s Church, Colwyn Bay. 7.30pm.Tickets cost £10 and Choir of St Petersburg, 7.30pm at St Giles’ Church, Wrexham. all enquiries to 01492 512602. Tickets at the door or in advance from 01978 355808.

HOW YOU CAN Contact your MP: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA DONATE TO HELP Below is a list of our local MPs Susan Elan Jones - MP for Clwyd South PERSECUTED and their email addresses: [email protected] CHRISTIANS IN THE Elfyn Llwyd - MP for MIDDLE EAST Guto Bebb - MP for Aberconwy Dwyfor [email protected] OPEN DOORS [email protected] www.opendoorsuk.org Glyn Davies - MP for Montgomeryshire Ian Lucas - MP for Wrexham [email protected] [email protected] CHRISTIAN AID David Hanson - MP for Delyn Chris Ruane - MP for Vale of Clwyd www.christianaid.org.uk [email protected] /iraq [email protected] David Jones - MP for Clywd West - MP for Alyn & Deeside BARNABAS FUND [email protected] [email protected] http://barnabasfund.org

Teulu Asaph is designed by Martyn Walsh, edited by Phil Topham and printed by PWS Print Limited Copy for December/January edition to [email protected]. Deadline: 3 November Thank you for contributions and please accept our apologies that we cannot print everything we are sent.