Pobl Dewi March 2018.Indd
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Meithrin Gobaith Growing Hope www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi March / Mawrth 2018 The answer’s yes. Now, what’s the question? asks the new Diocesan Secretary HERE’S a new broom a church conference and they said thing as society; in all the work I don’t know whether that’s how the sweeping through the dioc- there was a vacancy in St Davids.” have done I have tried to make office has always presented itself, Tesan office. Within two weeks, he’d sent in the sure there is a strong community but it will from now on.” Howard Llewellyn was looking application form, been interviewed element. “Every day I find something forward to retirement after a distin- and been offered the post. “We live in one of the rich- interesting, something involving, guished and varied legal career So, what attracted a man who est countries in the world and yet something educational, informa- when... has been described as “a non- we see food banks, beggars on the tive, something humorous and “I’d been working closely with believing Christian” to the Church? street etc and it struck me that the something downright bizarre!” the diocesan secretary in Oxford “I found myself (in Oxford) in Church was at least standing firm, “I’m working with people who Diocese (as Independent Chair a collegiate, familial environment proclaiming some resistance to this are clearly eager, accepting and of the Safeguarding panel) and in which there were issues that and seeking solutions. open to embracing a new direction.” thought, that looks like an interest- were relevant on a personal level to “What I’ve found here in St So where is that exactly? ing job. people in the community. Davids is that it lends itself to that “It will be a much more “I mentioned this to someone at “I don’t believe there is no such familial, collegiate environment. I open, transparent experience than they’ve had before. I want to create a more public profile so that clerics and parish members feel they can resort to it and don’t feel they are on their own.” “If the Church is not active in its own and the wider community then what is its purpose?” “Our responsibility is to facili- tate help for the parishes where we can, perhaps not in the way congre- gations are used to because we live in a time of public austerity and the or supporting the fabric of their church is a public-facing organisa- church; it’s about enabling Minis- tion. But I don’t think that’s always try and Mission across a much been the case here in the past. wider area. “We will adopt a much more “I hope that by engaging we engaged approach and I expect the can improve the understanding of parishes to respond. I believe we what this money is used for and can make improvements simply by how we can help to improve their meeting people and talking through lot and that of the Church family.” problems, which are mostly about “I want the Diocesan Office to finances.” be ‘a good neighbour’. If there’s “Ministry Share is something a problem, we want to help. The the whole Church is going to have answer’s yes but even if we can’t to review because there are percep- provide the definitive answer we’ll tions that the Mother Church is very help the questioner find it. rich, yet still requires a congre- “This approach is nothing new gation of six or eight members to for clergy but there are fewer of come up with money every year. them. So, I want to expand that “We have to demonstrate that approach from the office.” the money they bring to the Church Plant Cymuned Tre-groes yn mwynhau dathlu dydd Santes Dwynwen yn Ysgol Tre-groes gyda isn’t about paying their vicar pharti, chwaraeon, disgo a bwyd. Diolch i bawb a ddaeth i gefnogi FOCUS ON READERS’ DISCOVERIES – Pages 10 & 11 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, March 2018 areas. We already have a number of any areas who would like some Transition News pre-existing LMA titles but two of support as they begin to think about the most recent are Greater Dewis- how moving into larger working land, licensed a few weeks ago and worshipping areas might work Newyddion Trosglwyddiad and being led by LMA Dean Revd for them, or PCCs who would like Mike Rowlands, and the first of our some clarification on how the new It has been a really busy few months since Diocesan Conference new LMAs, Bro Lliedi, licensed structure will work. Perhaps you’d shot us, at some pace, into transition! Transition Missioner last December, led by LMA Dean like some guidance on how you Marianne Osborne takes a breather to provide an update Revd Canon Huw Mosford. can be proactive in your LMA? S promised, a team has been The LMA Dean is a new posi- The more we prepare, the more Aput together to work with tion within the diocese and, as ever, information we can share within the new LMAs. Our new Transi- our churches and communities and tion Companions are Revd John the easier it will be to make these Hancock and Simon Thane, both of changes. Please don’t hesitate to whom have experience in manage- contact me if I can answer any ment and, in particular, change. questions you might have, or, as Howard Llewellyn, our new Dioc- I say, if I can begin conversations esan Secretary, will also play a within church life I’d be more than consultative part as the need arises. happy to do so. John Hancock As a team, we are commit- Tel: 01437 214612 ted to working with ministers and e-mail: [email protected]. congregations to make the changes The first step towards something new is always the hardest as smooth as possible, ensuring our movements are as transparent “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans as possible and that all who want The most recent Bishop’s Ad to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a to talk about the changes in their Clerum has ensured that all clergy Simon Thane future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will churches, and ask questions, have have the timetable for change. I listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with the opportunity to do so. We have am currently working with the first it is the Bishop’s responsibility to all your heart. compiled a handbook, which can cohort of LMAs and our aim is to appoint. She is prayerfully work- “I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you be taken home after discussions have them licensed and functioning ing on this and will be contacting back from captivity. for reference – it can be difficult to in their new capacity by September potential deans by the usual offi- “I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have retain all of the information at long this year. cial means when she has discerned banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the meetings so we hope this will be a The Bishop’s team is currently these appointments. place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14) useful tool. working on names for specific I would be happy to hear from Yes, but where can I It is more blessed to (such as a ‘tithe’). In essence, the find out more? seminar creates a space where the participants can safely explore Continuing his thoughts on getting involved, the diocesan Lay give than to receive(Acts 20:35) God’s generosity to us and then Development Officer, Robb Wainwright, talks about upcoming Huw Anderson, Diocesan Mission Resources Officer, is offering consider the appropriate response. opportunities to learn more about what goes on in our diocese to run seminars for LMAs on the subject of generosity I would love to run this semi- OLLOWING God’s call in our HIS biblical verse of the title Church of England jointly with the nar in all of our LMAs and would Flives may sound simple but it Tis remarkable in two ways. US-based Generosity Path organi- be delighted if readers felt that often requires us to work hard at Firstly, it is the only direct quota- sation. This seminar lasts a day and this might be for them or their our understanding of just what He tion of the words of Jesus recorded should consist of no more than 12 group of churches. All kinds of wants us to do in response to his in the Scriptures that are not found participants and a facilitator. The people should be encouraged to call. Whether as a person of frag- in the four Gospels. Secondly, nature of biblical generosity is attend: people who are already ile health, housebound and called virtually nobody believes it! But explored through videos, discus- big givers, people who perhaps to prayer ministry, or in rude health what if it were true? Indeed, it must sion and teaching. No pressure should be bigger givers and people and raring to take on the world, be true, but what if we acted as if is ever applied to give to certain who already keep very little for whatever our call and our under- we were convinced it was true? causes or to give certain amounts themselves.