Pobl Dewi March 2016.Indd
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Meithrin Gobaith Growing Hope www.stdavidsdiocese.org.uk www.facebook.com/pobl.dewi http://twitter.com/PoblDewi March / Mawrth 2016 Plenty of room in the inn Re-imagining Full story page 16 a ministry The new diocesan Children and Youth Co-ordinator tells Pobl Dewi her vision for her new ministry T’S going to be a busy three some encouraging responses. One way is through the curric- Iyears ahead for Clare Williams. The key, she believes, is flex- ulum and our work with schools. She took on the task of ibility. “We need to get parishes Children are encouraged to find re-vitalising the Church’s minis- working together in innovative out about their local church – and try to children and young people ways. We need to think differ- its churchyard – as part of their in January, as part of a £1 million- ently, perhaps on a seasonal basis studies. It all fosters a greater pound project made possible by or a monthly basis. Things don’t understanding of what Church is the legacy left to the diocese last have to happen only on Sunday about. year by former parishioner Hazel mornings. Clare sees the new ministry Jones-Olszewski. “Parishes should play to their areas as a positive step in that direc- The first task is to build a team. strengths,” she says. “It’s often tion as they will have a broader There is money for six project difficult to find volunteers to work canvas, enabling larger events workers – two in each archdea- with this age group. That’s part which can be on a less frequent conry. Four ministry areas have of my remit too. We can provide basis. applied to have a worker; others training and support and there are To facilitate this, there’s to be are interested. plenty of resources available to a re-constituted, combined children So, looking forward, what does assist. It’s often simply a matter of and youth team that will co-ordi- she see? “It can seem like a preci- building confidence.” nate activity across the diocese so pice,” she admits. “But there are And it doesn’t – shouldn’t – parishes don’t have to rely purely strengths as well as weaknesses.” have to happen solely within the on their own resources. Initially, the focus will be on church building. “There are lots “We will be looking to identify youth – those aged between ten of ways to engage with young examples of best practice which we and 18 – where Clare concedes people,” she says. “There are can use as beacons showing others numbers are “worryingly low.” But schools, youth clubs, anywhere a way forward.” a questionnaire sent to all parishes that young people congregate. But She may still be young herself and ministry areas has brought you have to engage.” but Clare already has a wealth of practical experience to bring to her new role. The daughter of a parish priest, she grew up in Cardiff and studied theology at Exeter University before a stint in a busy London parish as a pastoral assis- tant. At each stage, children and youth groups have been part of the landscape. And then she came to Pembro- keshire and for the last three years has worked as part of the mission team at the cathedral where the pattern continued. But where did the call come? “I’ve known for a long time that God wanted me to work for Experience Easter the Church. I don’t think I’ve ever had any other option in my head. And working in Exeter, London See page 15 continued on page 17 FOCUS ON RETREATS – Pages 10 and 11 Am ddim Free 2 Pobl Dewi, March 2016 An important year Have you ever considered serving on a committee? Are you currently a member of the Diocesan Conference or the Governing Body? Do you have skills and experience that could benefit the diocese and the Church in Wales? Do you feel that your voice isn’t heard? If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these questions Paul Mackness strongly urges you to stand in one or more of the elections that will be held in 2016 HIS year the diocese will be Church in Wales (making laws Tholding elections and/or seek- and policy for the Church in ing nominations for: Wales) • Deanery Conference (repre- Those elected will take office senting parishes at a deanery later this year, with the excep- level) tion of the College of Episcopal • Diocesan Conference (repre- Electors and the Governing Body senting benefices at a diocesan which will take office from 1 Janu- level) ary 2017. It is likely that the new • The Standing Committee (the college will elect a new Bishop Executive Committee of the of Llandaff and a new Archbishop Diocesan Conference) during the triennium. (The current • The Diocesan Board of Nomi- college will probably elect Bishop nation (advising the Bishop Wyn’s successor.) on appointments to vacant What skills do I need to serve on benefices) any of the above? • The Parsonage Board (manag- • Above all, a love for Christ and ing clergy housing) a desire to advance the King- • The Diocesan Board of Finance dom of God and the work of the (managing the finances of the Gospel in this diocese Standing Committee convenes, December 2015 diocese, ministry share, annual • An understanding of how the • A flexible approach to be open delegated to Area Deans. Further In order for the diocese to work budget etc) diocese works or a willingness to new ways of working and information will be sent to clergy, effectively and for its committee • The Diocesan Council for to learn new ideas. current members of the above structure to properly represent its Social Responsibility (The • A willingness to get involved in • The ability to attend approxi- committees and others over the people and clergy, we need you! diocese’s response to church discussions and debates mately four meetings a year next few months. Please consider if God is calling and society) • For certain committees skills during the week for many of If you would like to know more you to any of these roles! Partici- • The College of Episcopal Elec- relating to their work is useful, the committees or boards. please contact Val Hockey at the pation is part of our discipleship as tors (electing new Bishops and eg financial background, HR The Clerical and Lay Secretar- Diocesan Office on 01267 236145 Christians. the Archbishop) experience, property manage- ies of the diocese are responsible or me on 01267 236597; we are We look forward to hearing • The Governing Body of the ment, legal. for all elections, with some being happy to help and to advise. from you. and deacons. There is no sugges- for invidious comparisons! By no mutually agreed facilitator could No rest for the righteous? tion in the New Testament that means least, folk who have known help the process along. early Christians ever contemplated someone as their parish priest for Bishop Wyn has asked me to Some reflections on clergy retirement by Rt Revd John Saxbee, retirement from active Christian many years may well seek them have a particular care for retired Assistant Bishop in St Davids Diocese discipleship, and this assumption out for pastoral care or to conduct clergy in this diocese, and so I carries over into ordained ministry weddings and funerals if he or she am well aware of the invaluable “ ETIREMENT is the time in as a lifelong vocation. is still living locally in retirement. contribution they make to church Ra person’s life when they are These two factors are inter- This may not help the new incum- and community life in all sorts of too old to work and too young to twined when clergy leave the bent to establish themselves in role. ways. Anything that can be done to die”. vicarage and move into a house So there could well be a case for ensure that this contribution is not This definition of retirement by nearby. They may still have retired clergy who, in exceptional compromised or undermined by ill- the American trade union leader permission to minister, but they are circumstances, continue to live in feeling of any kind is surely to be Walter Reuther probably explains no longer the incumbent or priest or near their recent Cure to nego- welcomed. So there is something to why many people find the concept in charge of the benefice. Let us be tiate a clear agreement with the be said for giving this idea an airing, of retirement troubling. It makes clear that it would never be right new incumbent covering whether, and I will be glad to hear how clergy sense if the work in question is to try and dictate to clergy when it when and on what terms they will and lay people, retired or otherwise, physically very demanding, but comes to where they live in retire- officiate in the benefice, and relate feel about such a proposal. if that is not the case then what ment. After all, they may well have to the wider community. This need Meanwhile, we remain ever does it mean to say that someone been living in tied accommodation not be an intrusive or threatening grateful for the ways in which is “too old to work”? The word all their working lives, and should exercise. It will simply ensure that retired clergy continue to serve God “ageism” has been invented in ahead with the assistance of wise not be deprived of the chance to assumptions and expectations are and God’s people in the diocese of response to just such a challenge advice and reliable information.