HIGHLIGHTS of the ’ Governing Body meeting at the University of Wales Trinity , Lampeter on 11-13 September 2018

New fi lm shows how churches are reaching out to people of all ages across Wales See page 4 Presidential Address Contents

Page 1 Presidential Address. Play your part, great or Page 3 Evangelism - A Framework for small, in spreading Healthy and Joyful Mission.

Page 4 the Gospel message, Faith in Evangelism Film. urges John Page 5 Evangelism, Pioneering Ministry and Growth report. Strategies and policies for growth put forward by Church Page 6 leaders will remain “heady aspirations” without the commitment St Padarn’s report. and contribution of individuals at all levels of church life, warned the in his Presidential Address. Page 7 Archbishop John Davies said evangelism was the Church’s Same-sex relationships. core business – “its story and its song” - and everyone had a contribution to make, whether they saw themselves in that story as Page 9 ‘bit-part players’ or as main characters. Times and Seasons launched. He encouraged church-goers not to underestimate the gifts and resources they had but to off er them freely in the service of Page 10 Christ. Report of the Standing Committee. The Archbishop, who is President of the Governing Body, WODS. said, “The Bishops may articulate particular visions and seek with others to develop policies and strategies, but these will Page 11 Anglican- Methodist Covenant. remain mere plans, heady aspirations, unless individual potential to contribute to the overall evangelistic task is encouraged, Page 12 recognised and affi rmed.” Reports from the University of He added, “In our churches and communities there may be Wales Trinity Saint David and people who feel like bit-part players, who feel they can’t contribute the Representative Body. much, if anything at all, to our story and our song or to the good of wider society. They may feel that they lack talent, gifts or resources; Page 13 they may feel too old, too inexperienced, too anything! But around Question Time. us there are wonderful stories of people who may have felt just so, but who, with some encouragement, the right question being Page 14 asked, have engaged with some local activity that has seen a Worship and Collection. project blossom and fl ourish.” Our Visitors. The Archbishop acknowledged that there were challenges Never too young to campaign. ahead. He said, “The challenges facing church and society today are signifi cant, even daunting, and the resources may appear

Published by the Representative Body of the to be meagre, completely inadequate in fact; but placed in the Church in Wales on behalf of the Governing Body hands of Jesus by willing participants, situations are turned around of the Church in Wales, September 2018. and challenges overcome. Doing what Jesus instructs, playing a No part of this publication maybe reproduced without small part in telling the story and singing the song, helps in hopes prior permission from the Publications Manager: The Representative Body of the Church in Wales, becoming fulfi lled.” 2 Callaghan Square, Cardiff . CF10 5BT He reminded members that the Church was well resourced All pictures are © of the Representative Body of and that miracles could happen when those resources were off ered the Church in Wales. generously to others.

Page 1 | September 2018 | Highlights “Our Church, as I have as to how resources should and Kingdom’s values; and let me also affi rmed in the past, isn’t must be used - this really matters. encourage you to be excited by possessed of meagre resources Trusting that he can use what we the knowledge that miracles will but of signifi cant ones, human, have and what can be off ered, happen when, in trust, in faith and material and fi nancial. We also however meagre we might think in generosity, we tell the story and have the resource, much envied it to be, and trusting each other sing the song.” by some, of a presence in every as the inn-keeper trusted the community across our nation.” Samaritan, and as the disciples on Referring to the familiar the hillside trusted Jesus is vital. biblical account of the miraculous The potential value of off ering our feeding of the crowds, the resources and playing our part, Archbishop said, “These resources any part, small or large, in telling are our fi ve loaves and two small the story and singing the song of fi sh, and our calling is not simply the Kingdom, and encouraging to keep them for ourselves, but to others to do so, must never be off er them, to use them in telling underestimated. the story and singing the song, “So, for the ongoing and by doing so, to feed the rehabilitation of our witness and spiritually hungry, and help to carry our mission, let me encourage you the people with beaten-up and and, through your commitment, To download the text of the broken lives. encourage both our churches Presidential Address visit: “Achieving this demands a and our communities to look for www.churchinwales.org.uk/ readiness to listen attentively and and recognise what we all have structure/governing-body/ openly to the instructions of Jesus to off er for the fl ourishing of the meetings/12-13-sept-2018/

Highlights | September 2018 | Page 2

There is neither a blueprint for mission across Wales nor only one way of doing evangelism, said the , Andy John, as he presented a report from the Evangelism, Pioneer Ministry and Church Growth Group. Instead, the group has suggested a set of guidelines or “disciplines” for healthy and joyful mission at the four levels of Ministry and Mission Areas, the Dioceses, Pioneer and Planting and the Province. Bishop Andy said, “The disciplines invite Ministry and Mission Areas, Dioceses and the Province to prioritize the work of evangelism within their own life. Even within these three structural units there is the potential for broader more pioneering and networking developments which might involve ecumenical partners, mission agencies, looser affi liations and networks than are currently common.”

Page 3 | September 2018 | Highlights Ministry and Mission Areas A renewed commitment to worship Faith in Evangelism Film and outreach must happen locally From school lunch clubs to community meals - new ways of being if there is to be any authentic church were highlighted in a fi lm launched as part of the report on commitment to evangelism, said Evangelism. Bishop Andy. He said much good The fi lm featured six projects, one from each of the Church’s work was already taking place dioceses, to show how churches across Wales are reaching out and through the use of festivals, taking the Christian message to those around them. life events, buildings, schools and a connection to the wider The projects featured are: community. “If a local congregation loves God, it will show,” he said. The Lounge – a lunchclub at Cefn Saeson secondary school, Neath; Dioceses Dioceses needed strategically Sanctuary – pioneer ministry on planned initiatives to focus housing estates and to the farming resources for evangelism in a community around Llanidloes; targeted way, said Bishop Andy. This included Church Army Reminiscing cafe – events for people partnerships, already running in with dementia in Newtown; four dioceses, and mapping. “The impact on the local can be transformative because faith works – it enriches those involved, challenging but also animating the local in their own faith.”

Pioneer and Planting This was the most exciting and uncertain area of evangelism, said Bishop Andy. “Whether café Food With Friends – church or Resource church, the community meals and events evidence is that careful but bold in Gorseinion; initiative takes faith and witness to communities of people who would never otherwise encounter Christ…. although there are in every diocese good examples of this kind of ministry, it’s clear that we need to accelerate the mixed Inclusive church – economy of church to prioritize the promoting an open and welcoming level, extent and commitment to church at Rumney, Cardiff ; pioneering work.”

Province Puppetry – entertainment with a Bishop Andy outlined the progress Christian message for children in and of the Evangelism Fund Group. around Lampeter. He emphasised that the Fund was for initiatives to enable the church The fi lm is now available to watch to witness eff ectively in a well or download from the resourced way. They also had to be Church in Wales website at: well targeted, “This is not a slush https://www.churchinwales.org.uk fund for all and sundry but a release /news/church-in-wales-fi lms/ of resource to stimulate and enable witness to Christ,” he said.

Highlights | September 2018 | Page 4 Evangelism, Pioneering Ministry and Growth debate

This year, the She was also concerned about the drawn people in. “Initially parishioners Membership and need to reach out to young people were demoralised but the experience Finance report was and recommended learning from of training and the excitement of presented as part free churches. “They are gathering preparing was formative. We do need of Bishop Andy’s in families and doing evangelism to be bold in venturing but some presentation on incredibly eff ectively and we want to initiatives won’t always be successful the Evangelism, learn from them,” she said. because not everything works in all Pioneering Ministry and Growth The Revd Dr Adrian Morgan areas. We are now looking for new report. He said he was encouraged (co-opted) said the opportunities to meet the needs of the by two of its statistics: the increase challenge was getting community,” he said. in attendance at midweek services, people from the place Daniel Priddy (co-opted) said which suggested that new kinds of of encounter to a the challenge was to Christian gathering were bearing lifelong discipleship. get the whole church fruit; and the gentle increase in He said, “I am doing evangelism. “If young people aged under 17 – “That surprised how abnormal it is for this were happening mustn’t be a fi tful fi gure, but a people to open the Bible and pray everywhere we would normal investment in young people together and do the bread and butter be in a diff erent position to hear the good news,” he said. stuff of church. People don’t know to where we are now. How are we Seconding the motion, Archbishop how to pray…. We have to use every going to get those not on board with John urged church volunteers not to resource we have at our fi ngertips to evangelism to be involved? We want be daunted by evangelism projects, engage people really well so they can these stories but we need to challenge “Please don’t give up – these imaginative share the gospel of love with others our brothers and sisters who are not schemes are run by normal people in their community.” Evangelism didn’t doing this sort of mission and who who just have a love of the gospel.” happen by accident, he added, there don’t see it as part of their church life, Following on from Bishop Andy’s had to be a strategy in place or else to be involved in it.” presentation, 17 people stood up to the church was “nothing more than a The Revd Joel Barder (St Davids) comment on it. Rotary Club with a spire”. said the church needed The Revd Steven Bunting The Revd Adam Pawley (St Asaph) to widen its relationships (Swansea and Brecon) suggested a fi lm at a with other churches. described projects run future meeting to hear “Statistics show that by his parish, including how people had come most of the churches candlelit meals for wedding to faith to show “how growing are free couples, a night shelter we explain to our churches – these are not members for homeless people and friends how much God of Cytûn. How do we talk to them? I a holiday hunger club which fed 185 means to us”. would love us to be equipped to talk children over the summer. But he The Revd Dean Roberts (co-opted) to them, learn from them and work warned the church growth could be said that for him this item was the with them.” crippled by parish bankruptcy. “highlight” of the Governing Body. “We Responding, Bishop Andy “Our church is growing and it is are talking about what truly matters, agreed that the spiritual vitality of exciting but the thing that is paralysing the re-evangelism of this nation,” the church led to evangelism and us is a huge building that is falling he said. He described how small that more materials were needed to down and a parish share we can’t pay changes in his church had made a enable people to share their faith – we could be bankrupt by the end of big diff erence – moving Messy Church with confi dence. the year. In midst of the challenges of from a Sunday to afterschool on a evangelism we need to look at how weekday, for example, meant that it Motion: we can support parishes in deprived had grown from 12 to 50 people in a That the Governing Body do areas.” month. welcome, affi rm and endorse The Revd Naomi Starkey (Bangor) Among the stories of successful the Report of the Evangelism, asked about equipping projects, the Revd Pioneer Ministry and Church church members for David Morris (Llandaff ) Growth Group and take evangelism so that gave an honest note of the Membership and they went beyond account of one which Finance Report. volunteering to had failed - a dementia refl ecting on their faith. café which hadn’t The motion was passed unanimously.

Page 5 | September 2018 | Highlights St Padarn’s “Going from good to outstanding”

high-level theological training for armed we are well on the way to that.” forces chaplains. Ruth James (Monmouth) – a Meanwhile, the college was to Theology for Life student herself - remain on the St Michael’s site for the bemoaned the relative lack next 10 years. Costs had decreased of access to resources substantially since the decision to close available to part-time the conference centre business and the students based in the college wanted to focus on improving dioceses, rather than at the formation and learning for the Church, college in Cardiff . not changing buildings. In response to all the comments, Among St Padarn’s long-term aims Prof Duff said St Padarn’s reported to Something good is emerging for the were Welsh language theological several bodies and he asked for clarity long-term at St Padarn’s Institute, thinking and learning, ecumenical about what format the GB would require according to its Principal, the Revd working and accessibility. its report in the future. He added that Professor Jeremy Duff . “The Church has been very good the issue of online resources was being But, presenting the college’s annual historically at training Pauls and not so addressed with publishers. report, he told Governing Body, “We’re many Peters – where is our ordination good but we’re not outstanding...yet.” training that doesn’t rely on university Ministry Developement Learner numbers continued to level study?” he asked. A thorough overhaul of the discernment increase, especially through the There was a mixed reception for process is about to start, according Theology for Life programme which had the report. Canon Patrick Thomas to the report from the Ministerial seen a 70% increase (134-227) in the (St Davids) praised Development Group submitted to last year. The 2018 intake for Formation the college’s eff orts Governing Body. for Licensed Ministry (ordained and lay) to develop its Welsh- The group is to explore the whole showed 20% growth on the previous language provision, process, the people involved and their year (31-37) including an increase in including the aspiration to respective roles, the purpose of each those training full-time. The 2018 intake develop original materials stage of the discernment process and for postgraduate study also looked to be in Welsh, as opposed to translations. the outcomes expected at each stage. signifi cantly higher than in 2017. Revd Zoe King (Llandaff ) described This will help improve the effi ciency of the report as “fl imsy” the process and allow training to be “A culture of listening, improving and was disappointed focused as needed. and changing has been set,” by the lack of detail, in In addition... said Prof Duff . respect of both what • Curacy - the Bench has asked the A new Doctor of Ministry programme students were studying group to undertake work mapping diff erent was about to launch with the University and their achievements, approaches to curacy. The bishops want of Wales Trinity St David. It would and staff numbers and turnover. “This to form an accurate picture of the models provide a fl exible range of pathways for report gives us headlines, rather than of curacy in use around the Church those seeking further academic research a detailed plan. We want to make and assess how the realities of modern on the practice of ministry. St Padarn’s the best it can be,” she ministry and lifestyle are refl ected and St Padarn’s had also invested in said, “but without information clearly accommodated; staff with an expertise in youth and before us we cannot do so. My • CMD - a series of listening days has children’s ministry. As well as training recommendation is to ask for a clearer been organised in dioceses to establish ministers and providing a networking report in April.” what the St Padarn’s CMD programme resource for those working in this area, Bishop June Osborne (Llandaff ) should aim to achieve, what training it had launched a new MTh in Youth and said she had been should be prioritised, and how it should Children’s Ministry which was attracting impressed by the be arranged; signifi cant attention across the UK. openness and honesty • The Standing Doctrinal Commission It was developing a positive shown by the Principal has presented the Bishops with the reputation, as shown by registrations on and his staff during a fi ndings of an investigation of the theology postgraduate programmes from external diffi cult fi rst couple of years. “The staff of ordained ministry, particularly in light of students, requests from dioceses listen very hard to our dicoesan priorities recent changes to the nature of ministry elsewhere in the UK to support their and work with us very energetically,” prompted by the 2012 Church in Wales learning or provide consultancy and she said. “A confi dent church needs a Review. The fi ndings will be published in winning a prestigious contract to supply confi dent training institution and I think an edition of Theology Wales.

Highlights | September 2018 | Page 6 Three years after the Governing Body last considered same-sex relationships, the subject was brought back onto the agenda by the bishops. “The view of the Bench has changed and we are now united in the belief that it is pastorally unsustainable and unjust for the Church to continue to make no formal provision for these in committed same-sex relationships”. The Primus of the Scottish for anybody to have a conversation, and Episcopal Church was invited to to fi nd the space for that to happen,” he changing liturgy. “We decided marriage address members about the process said. was marriage for all, regardless of developed and adopted in Scotland The process he described took gender,” the Primus said. which last year voted to allow same- several years and involved many But even after the change was sex marriages in its churches. His conversations at every level with approved, the conversations continued. address was followed by a question people on both sides of the debate – a “If there are issues that require and answer session, an open “cascade” process. He was confi dent conversation, that has to happen,” he discussion and then a private ballot. everyone had the chance to listen and added. Introducing the item, Archbishop to speak. “If you cannot reach the point when John stressed that there was no “We realised it would be impossible you can weep with those who oppose motion and it would not bind the for us to sit back and say nothing when you, there’s something wrong with the Church to anything. same-sex marriage became legal,” he process,” Bishop Mark concluded. He said, “Your bishops want to said. “I was very anxious that there “Spend as much time as necessary move forward, but not in any particular would not be a slow creeping forward, so that whatever is debated is debated direction. We want you to say you that things would start to happen before with love. I off er a process, not just understand that it is unsustainable for we had the opportunity to have the for you to have a conversation, but us to remain in a state of limbo and debate,” he said. for everyone in the church to have a give us the opportunity to do further conversation.” work on how we can help those in “We knew that we would have to have that debate.” same-sex relationships.” Questions He described the Church in He added, “The question we asked Members then questioned Bishop Wales as a family. “Every family was what would happen IF we were to Mark on the SEC’s decision. Dr Robert has diffi culties, sometimes trivial move forward and what did we need to Wilkinson (St Davids) wanted sometimes more serious,” he said. do for you to remain in the Church? It to know if opting in to be “The hope is that they will be able to was a question we asked of those who licensed was a “one-way live respectfully with their diff erences.” wanted no change and those who would street” for clergy or could they In his address, Bishop Mark Strange leave if we did not change.” also opt out again? Bishop stressed his intention was to off er a Meanwhile, there were canonical, Mark explained that licensing process, not a recommendation, as to doctrinal and liturgical issues to was done in fi ve-year chunks so if a how people should vote. “It’s a process consider. “The doctrinal and liturgical congregation decided they did or didn’t committees considered a number want to hold same-sex marriages there of possible routes that might allow was a regular process whereby they movement without any indication of could change and there was no issue direction.” with clergy opting in or out. Eventually, a strategy emerged that The Archdeacon of Meirionnydd, could be placed before the General Andrew Jones (Bangor), wondered Synod. It included an opt-in principle if Bishop Mark would go through the whereby only clergy licensed to do so whole process again and to what by the Bishop could conduct same-sex extent it had been a “deeply pastoral marriages, and only in churches where achievement”? the church council had also indicated “I would go through it again but they supported the change. there are things I would tweak,” replied It also proposed no changes to Bishop Mark. “It has been costly for the Prayer Book or the rules about many people. But we can no longer

Page 7 | September 2018 | Highlights pretend there is not an issue. I am the foundation of all human relationships same-sex marriage on theological deeply moved by the process we have and on that basis his parish had decided grounds. gone through but it needs people who four years ago to support same-sex The Rev Dean Roberts (co-opted) are very pastorally sensitive.” couples. “Their experience of life had said some of his colleagues were Responding to a question on the taught them to be concerned for how scared to speak publicly on this issue, number of marriages that had taken to support two people in a community because they feared that they would place, Bishop Mark said same-sex of love… It’s about living the life God not be given preferment or become an marriages were not recorded separately called us to live because he made us incumbent when they fi nished a curacy. from other marriages. However there out of love and to love. Of course it’s “There are a lot of silent voices,” he had not been a huge infl ux - in his unsustainable for the church to make no warned. He also asked why the GB was diocese there had been fi ve. provision - I just hope it is not too late.” still talking about the issue of same-sex Gareth Erlandson (St Asaph) wanted Sarah Mulcahy (Monmouth) told of marriage, when numerical decline was to know what impact the decision had her 17-year-old daughter, much more pressing? had on church growth. “A couple of who had recently come Archdeacon Mounes Farah congregations are considering their out as gay. It wasn’t a (St. Davids) believed scripture was position,” said Bishop Mark. “In some problem at school but clear that marriage was between a man we have seen growth and in some we it was at church – she and a woman. “Anything beyond that have not experienced people leave. could not understand why she couldn’t is defi ned by scripture as a sinful life. Our primary mission is to bring people marry in the same church in which she That’s a hard word to use, but we do to Christ – we have no indication at the had been baptised and confi rmed. “All need to be able to call each one of us to moment that this decision has stopped she asks is to be accepted for who she a life of repentance.” that mission. We will probably fi nd out in is,” she said, adding, “It is not for us to The Revd Adam Pawley (St Asaph) two or three years, not now.” judge, it is for God.” said the biggest question for him was The Revd Dr Adrian Morgan The Revd Rosemary Hill (Llandaff ) how we read scripture and its authority (co-opted) admitted he was profoundly described her experience in our own lives. “I fi nd it diffi cult to write torn on the issue and asked what as an organiser of Pride off what I read in the scriptures, even pastoral support was in place to help Cymru, and how she had though I would like to and it would be people like him. “The decision could come across a couple easier to,” he said. only have happened if we had been frightened that they The Rev Dr Jason Bray (co-opted) able to demonstrate that we were wouldn’t fi nd someone to baptise their told of how the line equally pastorally caring for clergy on child, children disowned by parents and from the prologue to both sides of the issue,” replied Bishop others self-harming due to homophobia. St. John’s Gospel - Mark. “There are a signifi cant number of People would not see the church as ‘And without him not in-built processes to ensure people are inclusive until an LBGT couple were anything was made’ not penalised for their opinion. Nothing able to marry within it, she said. - had helped to free a man struggling can stand between the priest-in-charge Dr Heather Payne (Llandaff ) with his spirituality. “Scripture doesn’t and their conscience. We are part of a said the Church needed to deal with always constrain us - it can set us free,” church which is to do with including, disagreement and address it, so that it he said, adding. “Blessing nuclear not excluding.” was not paralysed into doing nothing. warheads, hunts, battles – these things The Revd Dean Roberts (co-opted) She believed that this was an important happen. But if I have a same sex couple feared a change in Wales issue, but that it should not divert us in a loving relationship I cannot bless would cause confusion and from other important issues, like poverty that union.” a “bit of a lucky dip” over and mental health. Ballot which church same-sex Ruth James (Monmouth) said the In a secret ballot members were couples could marry in. Bishop debate was about love. “The bishops asked to agree or not with the Mark compared the position to that of are giving us an opportunity to say to statement: remarriage after divorce which some the LGBT community, ‘Come in – we will “It is pastorally unsustainable priests accepted and others didn’t. Priests fi nd a home for you because you too are for the Church to make no were expected to refer couples to the loved’. How could we turn it down?” formal provision for those in diocese for help fi nding churches where Robert Wilkinson (St Davids) said same-sex relationships.” they could marry. people had to take into account what It was an indicative ballot only was meant by love and whether it was and the Bishops did not take part. Discussion always doing what people wanted. He 76 members agreed and Canon Steven Kirk said very creative thinking would be 21 disagreed. (Llandaff ) said love was needed to protect those who opposed

Highlights | September 2018 | Page 8 New liturgy Times and Seasons launch

From blessing Advent He reminded members that this Revd Steve Bunting (Swansea wreathes to hot cross buns, new material was not about using and Brecon) agreed with the need new liturgy to enhance worship new words for the sake of them, for materials for less formal liturgical throughout the year was but rather that these materials were settings and asked the committee to launched by the Bishop of being off ered to enhance worship, stir consult with National Estate Churches St Asaph, Gregory Cameron. hearts, lift eyes heavenwards. in England. “We need working class liturgy for the generation of people who “Beware of liturgical have never been in church,” he said. Revd Miriam Beecroft (Bangor) indigestion,” he warned. told of interviewing “These are more tools, Welsh speakers please use them wisely about their and pray that God may experience of liturgy, and how they use them to draw us complained about closer to him” the literary nature of the language. The Rev Dr Adrian Morgan She urged the use of Welsh in liturgy Times and Seasons which has (co-opted) commended the work of that was less literary and more been six years in preparation, is the committee, but emphasized the contemporary. an online bilingual resource for need to take appropriate time and Replying, Bishop Gregory said those looking for more creative and care when preparing translations the Bishops and SLAC took their evangelistic worship. of English texts into Welsh. “Don’t commitment to bilingual worship Bishop Gregory said worship underestimate the crisis we are provision very seriously and needed to be joyful, creative, facing in the Welsh language,” he welcomed the fact that the Governing encouraging participation and off ering warned. “Translation deserves equal Body was holding them to account. engagement with God. It also had time, energy and eff ort that we give He also highlighted the diffi culty a teaching role and needed to be to producing the English – it is not in fi nding appropriate liturgical attractive to those on the edge of acceptable to rush that process and translators and the diffi culty in church life, so that it could help draw do the work on the back of a cigarette appointing a Provincial Director of them in. This new resource was not packet.” Welsh Language and Mission. But he compulsory but could be used where Archdeacon Mounes Farah added that the inclusion of materials churches believed it could enhance (St Davids) said it for Plygain services was being their worship. was very exciting to prepared in Welsh, and would be Archdeacon Jonathan Williams have new liturgies, translated into English. (Monmouth), chair of but wondered whether Bishop Gregory added that there the Standing Liturgical these were not just was much new non-eucharistic Advisory Committee, more of the same as material in Times and Seasons introduced the bilingual we already have. He asked if younger and even material, which had been materials, and explained people had had an opportunity to prepared for use during the Eucharist, that the fi rst set of contribute to the preparation of these would also be suitable for use in materials were for use from Advent materials and whether consideration other services, including those led until Epiphany. They included prayers had been given to less formal liturgical by lay people. He also reminded for Advent wreathes, carol services, material for people who worshipped in members that the brief of SLAC was blessing of Christmas trees, crib less formal ways. the production of texts, but that it now services and the New Year. Further Pam Odam (Bangor) said that also needed to consider preparing materials for use between Ash there was much mention of new material for people who wanted to Wednesday and Pentecost and then materials for eucharistic services and worship in a less formal liturgical through to the Kingdom Season would asked about material for services manner. The committee was only at follow soon. which were led by lay people. the very start of that journey.

Page 9 | September 2018 | Highlights Report of the Centenary Appeal Fund Two projects have been identifi ed Standing Committee for long-term fi nancial support from a Centenary Appeal Fund, one In her presentation, the chair overseas and one in Wales. of the Standing Committee, The overseas support is centred on Lis Perkins, highlighted key South Sudan areas of the report. and is being Church in public life developed in It had originally been intended partnership with to bring a general motion to Christian Aid. the GB inviting the Church to The proposal participate in public life. It was is to sponsor clear however, that members a key post were already convinced that within the Episcopal Church of the the Church really should do things in public life - it was a matter of what to do, South Sudan’s Justice Peace and not if we do it. The Committee was planning ahead to include the discussion of Reconciliation Commission. specifi c subjects at future meetings. Mrs Perkins invited members to suggest The theme of the home project is ideas for such discussions and to write to John Richfi eld at the Provincial Offi ce housing and homelessness. with them. Centenary Celebrations Churches are being encouraged to open their doors to their communities to celebrate the contribution made by the Church in Wales to Welsh life over the past 100 years. Other events and projects backed by the Standing Committee are: • A series of fi lms on the theme Our Church in Wales, allowing an opportunity for people across a broad spectrum of society to refl ect on how the Church has touched their lives.; Housing Justice Cymru has been • Parish 2020 projects – under the title Challenge 100 – 100 challenges for selected as the appropriate charity 100 years, parishes will be challenged to undertake a variety of activities to help. Three areas of support are focused on community outreach; proposed: night shelters, mentoring • The Archbishop has invited the to spend three and befriending, and training for days in Wales in 2020 to join the celebration of the Centenary – he will church members. attend part of the Governing Body meeting in Llandudno in April, visit a Word-wide Anglican Communion school and an event in the Senedd hosted by the Welsh Government; Dr Heather Payne from the Diocese • Celebratory Services – there should be a signifi cant service in each of Llandaff was cathedral and a Provincial service held in ; appointed to • To hold an event specifi cally in the Welsh language, perhaps in conjunction represent the with one of the Eisteddfodau in 2020, or to sponsor the hymn-writing Church in Wales competition at the National Eisteddfod; at the Anglican • an academic conference is planned together with a book to refl ect of the Consultative legacy of the past 100 years. Council. • the Committee agreed to not hold such any large scale event in conjunction All of the Committee’s three with the Centenary celebrations, while not ruling out the possibility of holding recommendations were approved. a large-scale evangelistic event at some time in future. Support for clergy families The trustees of the Church in Wales Widows’ Orphans’ and Dependants’ Society (WODS) are to consider extending the scheme to include divorcees. Responding to a request from Naomi Starkey (Bangor), The Venerable Peggy Jackson, presenting the society’s annual report to Governing Body, agreed to table the request at a future trustees’ meeting but it would be up to them to decide. Archdeacon Peggy reported that, in 2016/17, the Society made grants totalling £75,000 to bereaved families in need. Minimum guaranteed incomes were £14,660 for widow/ers and £2,660 for orphans. “Clergy households work quite diff erently from others,” she said, “and many fi nd themselves in crisis when a cleric dies. “The Society acts as a safety net to prevent severe hardship among those whose contribution is too often unseen and unsung.”

Highlights | September 2018 | Page 10 Anglican-Methodist Covenant

Unity with the Methodists is back Firstly, the two churches make a ministry and mission. He added on the agenda in the Church of formal declaration of a new stage in that the Methodist Conference was England as conversations between their relationship. Secondly, they take very clear that similar conversations the two took place this year. two new formal commitments to each needed to take place in Wales and The welcomed other: sharing in the ministry of the Scotland. an old friend of historic episcopate; and welcoming Summing up, Canon Powell the Governing presbyters and priests from either wondered what John Wesley, the Body to explain church to minister in either church. founder of the Methodist Church, what was Sharing in the ministry of the would have made of the proposals. He happening historic episcopate would require the suggested Wesley would have wanted and possible president of the Methodist Conference us all to remember that each of us implications to be ordained as a Bishop, and was a follower of Christ, and he would for Wales. be known as the President Bishop. have recognised that the challenge The Secretary of the Methodist Concentrating oversight at this level of mission and ministry was similar Conference of Great Britain is the in one person is a change for the for all followers of Jesus. Canon Revd Canon Gareth Powell who Methodist Church, but would meant Powell added that Wesley might want comes from Neath. Introducing him, that the could to challenge us over our too easy Bishop Gregory said the goal of recognise the Methodist Church as acceptance of the scandal of our becoming one church for Wales had sharing in the historic episcopate. disunity, which led to the duplication remained elusive over the years but Welcoming presbyters and priests of many resources. The Mission and perhaps now was the time to breathe from either church to minister in either Ministry in Covenant Report reminded new life into our Covenant. church - an inter-changeability of all Christian denominations that our In his address, Canon Powell ministers - would require the Church call to unity was about faithfulness introduced the Mission and Ministry of England to introduce legislation to Christ. These proposals required in Covenant Report - a joint report to enable Methodist presbyters to graciousness to admit the possibility from the Church of England and minister in the Church of England that in Christ things would be diff erent. Methodist Church. While it didn’t for a limited time without episcopal In the questions that followed propose the structural union of the two ordination. This would need to be Canon Powell’s address, Robert churches it did suggest two actions. seen as a “bearable anomaly”, which Wilkinson (St. Davids) said he had is a generally accepted phrase in attended a Church of England ecumenical theology and practice. morning prayer service, which had Canon Powell said the been led by a Methodist lay person proposals, now being considered and wondered whether could this be by the two churches, had the an example of what might be in the potential to transform their future.

ArchdeaconAr Jonathan Williams (Monmouth) told the Governing Body about the East Cardiff eecumenicalcumen area, and wondered where ecumenism was goinggo now and wanted to know whether this newnew workwo in England was based in enthusiasm or reality.reality. Dr Heather Payne (Llandaff ) pointed out that ththee ChChurchur of Ireland was now in full communion with MeMMethodiststhodists in Ireland and asked how that worked. RRevdevd Martin Snellgrove (St. Asaph) refl ected on the GGatheringathering meetingmeeting in Aberystwyth in 2012. He remembered nnonconformistonconformist delegatesdelegat saying that the Gathering proposals would mean thatt they would “have to become Anglicans”. HHee wonderedwonder whether this had changed.

Page 11 | September 2018 | Highlights Archdeacon Andrew Jones (Bangor) shared his experience of being a Presbyterian minister for 10 years, whilst also of Llanbedrog. It was an experience that gave him a deep respect for the diff erent traditions in the area, and he was still leading one service a month in a chapel. He was very thankful for this local ecumenical experience. Canon Powell responded that there were existing patterns of joint Anglican-Methodist ministry in England, which were more developed in some places than others. Sharing resources made good missional sense and shared ministry teams were already the heartbeat of many communities in England. In the fi eld of ecumenism there were always places that had a huge commitment and in other places there was no interest. However, the Methodist Conference and General Synod had signalled their intent to take this seriously. In Ireland, the scheme for interchangeability was in place, and the President of the Methodist Conference Ireland has the title ‘Episcopal Minister’. In closing the presentation, Bishop Gregory pointed out that it would be perfectly possible to have Methodist colleagues leading worship in the Church in Wales, if there was a will to do it. He asked whether the Governing Body could sign up to a similar agreement for Anglicans and Methodists in Wales. He said that it would be a nonsense if Methodist ministers could minister as Anglicans in England, but not in Wales. University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s report The Bishop of St Davids, , presented the annual report from University of Wales Trinity Saint David, urging members to read it. The Bishop of St Asaph suggested giving the report more prominence on the agenda next year. “This university grew out of institutions founded by the Church in Wales,” he said. “Let’s hear something specifi cally about how it is supporting us and why it is important. I want a real connection, not a nominal one.” The report was received. The Representative Body report Throwing money around the church would not create growth but properly funding innovative and bold ideas could make a real diff erence, said James Turner, chair of the Representative Body.

Presenting the annual report, Mr Turner highlighted Provincial Offi ce’s move from 39 Cathedral Road to the decision to create the Evangelism Fund, which was 2 Callaghan Square and the development of a business launched on Pentecost this year. He said that the church plan and property strategy must be prepared to act immediately and decisively to for St. Padarn’s Institute, that pursue growth. A determined eff ort was necessary to will see the Institute remain ensure imaginative ideas for evangelism and church at the St. Michael’s Centre growth received the fi nancial support they needed to be site for the next decade at successful. least. He highlighted the Moving onto the fi nancial performance of the Church’s advent of the new online investments, Mr Turner said it had been a good year for faculty system next year and capital growth, with total assets now valued at £924m. That the work of the Clergy Renumeration Review, which was fi gure was misleading, he warned, as it did not represent being chaired by Dame Claire Clancy (who recently retired funds freely available to spend. Removing fi xed assets, as the Chief Executive and Clerk of the National Assembly such as the pension fund and property, took the total back for Wales) and included Mary Carter (former partner at to £456m. It was the income from this, he stressed, that KMPG), as well as people from around the Province. He was used to support the Church’s mission, ministry and added that the working group was beginning a consultation administration. with all clergy during the autumn. Mr Turner said that the funds had achieved income Lis Perkins (Bangor) seconded the report and the returns above what was hoped for. This was due to a only speaker was the Revd Steve Bunting (Swansea and well-diversifi ed portfolio, long-term assessment and good Brecon), a member of the Clergy Renumeration Review advice from fund managers.The Church, he said, was group. He encouraged clergy to respond to the review doing all it could to prepare for future fi nancial turbulence, when papers became available. particularly with Brexit looming large. The motion to approve the report was passed Mr. Turner went on to talk about the success of the unanimously.

HHighlightsighlights | SeptemberSeptember 20182018 | PagePage 1212 QUESTION TIME 1. Gregor Lachlann-Waddell () Does the Church in Wales have plans to launch a comprehensive, bold and creative ‘Mission in the Digital Age’ provincial strategy that supports online evangelism more eff ectively in order to foster offl ine church growth?

Answer - the Provincial Secretary - The Bench will consider at their meeting next month a thorough analysis, by communications team staff , of our current digital provision with recommendations about a strategy for future developments. The team recommend a complete overhaul of provincial, diocesan and parish level digital resources. They want to make better and more integral use of social media. The vision is for the Church in Wales website to become a portal site based squarely on mission. It will be designed to help those people unfamiliar with us to understand our beliefs and values as well as facilitating their access to our services in the form of marriages, baptisms and funerals. It will emphasise the local, providing a robust “fi nd your local church” function and integrating parish level social media feeds. The Church needs to take mission to where people are and that, increasingly, is on-line. To be eff ective in that space, will need signifi cant investment. If we get this right, we can eff ectively deliver a strategy for “mission in the digital age” and potentially reach an audience far beyond the walls of our churches.

Q2. Dr Marion Hughes (Co-opted) Refl ecting on the discussions at the last Governing Body meeting regarding the change in regulations allowing people to partake of the Eucharist following baptism, will the Bishops say more on their plans for the continuing role of Confi rmation? What is the role of confi rmation for older children and baptised adults, as for an adult / young person baptism is a public declaration of faith in itself. Is counting confi rmation numbers still a helpful measure or valid descriptor of church growth? If not, what would be a useful replacement and / or additional measure?

Answer - Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron The Bench of Bishops are committed to promoting a place for Confi rmation as an integral part of Christian formation. If, from a sacramental point of view, Baptism is the entire rite of Initiation in itself into the Body of Christ, yet still we believe that there is an important role for Confi rmation as a channel of God’s grace to strengthen every Christian disciple on their journey of faith. All the bishops wish to be active in promoting Confi rmation in the lives of their dioceses for all disciples, and they intend that the commitment to membership of the Church in Wales implied by receiving Anglican Confi rmation in Wales should be strengthened by reaffi rming Confi rmation as a requirement for those seeking ordination, lay ministry or offi ce within the Province’s life. As far as older candidates are concerned, wherever possible Baptism and Confi rmation should be held together, either in one ceremony, or in close proximity, Measuring membership is no easy task. Many now attend Church more infrequently than once a week, while others participate in the weekday life of the Church. The Evangelism Group is giving consideration as to the way in which active participation in our Church can best be measured. The numbers of confi rmation cannot give a full picture, but they can at least give some indication of the numbers of people who are making public profession of their faith as active disciples within the Church in Wales, since nominal Confi rmation – what is sometimes known as “the passing out parade” - has become largely a thing of the past.

Q3. The Reverend Dean Roberts (Co-opted) Are the Bench of Bishops able to explain why a Primate whose province upholds (and has reaffi rmed) the doctrine of marriage as currently outlined in our prayer book, such as the , has not been invited to speak on their processes for welcoming the LGBT community in the Church whilst not permitting same sex marriages, in order to complement the invitation of the Rt. Rev. Mark Strange and add to these important discussions?

Answer - the Archbishop, John Davies The format of the discussion on same gender relationships was discussed in some detail at the meetings of the Business Sub-committee and Standing Committee earlier this year. In doing so, our focus has been on the purpose of bringing this item to the Governing Body. If the Church in Wales were to introduce ways of formally recognising committed same gender relationships, we would need to do so in a way which recognised the diversity of views on this matter and made careful provision for them. During the Anglican Communion Primates’ meeting in Canterbury, Bishop Mark spoke to the Primates from around the world about the journey the Scottish Episcopal Church had taken which resulted in a decision to authorise same gender marriage In Church. What struck me was the careful way in which this was done and the provision made both for clergy and congregations who do not agree with this decision. Bishop Mark is here to tell the story of the journey not to propose or advocate a particular position.

Page 13 | September 2018 | Highlights Worship and Collection The arrangements for The Revd Dr Harri Williams from the Diocese of worship were made for the St Davids led the Prayers and Bible Study to open the last time by the Archdeacon business on Thursday. of St Davids Paul Mackness The Archbishop thanked and members of the Worship Archdeacon Paul Mackness Committee. for his work as Worship Coordinator for the past The opening Eucharist, at which the Archbishop was three years, and welcomed the celebrant, was held in the University Chapel, organised Fr John Connell as the new by the , and the Bishop of St Davids Coordinator appointed by preached. the Standing Committee Opening Prayers on Wednesday morning were said from 2019. in the Arts Hall, led by the Revd Fr John Connell of the Collection . Collections taken at the meeting will be given to Evening Prayer, again in the Chapel on Wednesday Alzheimer’s Society Wales, a charity that helps people evening, was led by the diocese of St Asaph and the Revd who are suff ering with this disease and their families Canon Gareth Powell, General Secretary of the Methodist and friends. Conference, preached. The total collection with Gift Aid was £1100.00 Welcome to Visitors The Governing Body welcomed a number of guests from other Churches: Cytûn & the Covenanted Churches in Wales / Cytûn a’r Eglwysi Cyfamodol yng Nghymru Peredur Owen Griffi ths (Faith, Order and Witness Enabler) also representing The United Reformed Church The Revd Sally Thomas (Ecumenical Offi cer, Wales United Reformed Church) The Methodist Church The Revd Canon Gareth Powell (General Secretary of the UK Methodist Conference) The Revd Dr Stephen Wigley (Chair of Synod, the Methodist Church in Wales) The Revd Dr Jennie Hurd (Cadeirydd, Synod Cymru) The Scottish Episcopal Church The Most Revd Mark Strange (Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness and Primus of Scotland) #never too young to campaign... Elgan Beecroft may be Governing Body’s youngest- And Miriam later joined in a Twitter row to defend ever participant. But where better to celebrate eight Jo Swinson when she became the fi rst MP to take a weeks (exactly) on God’s earth? baby into a House of Commons’ debate. She said: But he’s had an important role, keeping a (sleepy) “Surely we just care about important debates and eye on Mum Miriam, Ministry Area leader in the feel like if there’s a way of not missing them then we Machynlleth area. She’s been attending GB for several should do our best to work around the practicalities. years now and was determined to make it this time, Next step despite still being on maternity leave. #breastfeeding “People have certainly enjoyed meeting him,” she told in Parliament! I’ll Highlights. “But he has got into a habit of demanding a glad to say @ nappy change at crucial points in the debates! ChurchinWales “Many people said, ‘Hasn’t he been good!’ referring people present to how quiet Elgan had been. There’s a vast diff erence were positive between how we welcome quiet babies and not-so-quiet about seeing my toddlers in church. There’s the beginning of an inclusivity son.” debate right there!”

The Governing Body will next meet on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 May 2019 at the City Hall, Cardiff . Highlights | April 2018 | Page 14