ODDI WRTH YR ESGOB...
FROM THE BISHOP...
Bishop John writes his Ad Clerum to the clergy of the Diocese every month. You can read the text on this page.
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February 2008
Dear Friends,
Despite the early start of Lent this year, February is a time of waiting and watching, prayer and preparation, anticipating the new growth for which we long, and of which the snowdrops and the crocus in the garden are an early symbol. In this respect nature, much confused of late by climate change, is still capable of reminding us of God’s promise, signalling hope and at the same time reminding us of our need for patience. Growth is sometimes a slow process and we do well to recognise this, especially when we are impatient for results.
We have, of course, a Gospel parallel, evinced in the tantalising and all too brief references to the boyhood of Jesus: “…And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40 NRSV). The key words from this verse of the Candlemas Gospel speak of bodily development in size and strength, of wisdom in the fullest sense, and the blessing of God’s grace. Jesus flourished at home in the family circle and his intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth was real.
Whatever we read into the evangelist’s short biographical note of Jesus’ early life, there is a wholeness and completeness of development which can claim us at many levels, personally, in our church life, and in our communities. In fact, most political agendas would aspire to the goals of a person’s physical, intellectual, spiritual and social development, and would want to make extra provision for those whose personal circumstances require most support for them to thrive. It is surely right that where these aspirations are set out, the church should do its utmost to keep the proponents to their word because we are concerned for the whole of society.
The new Government of Wales Act gives us an opportunity to do just that. As a Province we have already begun to make a response to the Welsh Assembly Government’s published One Wales agenda; the document (which can be found on our website) makes specific responses under the headings of health, prosperity, community, housing, education, justice, environment and diversity. These are areas of life in which the church is involved in all manner of ways, but most importantly through the people who make up our parish network. There is not a square inch of Wales that is not in someone’s parish. This is the most obvious and most remarkable feature of our church, yet one not readily understood or acknowledged by Government agencies in Wales or indeed by many outside the church. The Church in Wales has a ministry of presence throughout our land and we squander that gift at our peril. We must use it for the enhancement of our communities because the Gospel demands that we link faith to society in all its aspects. I encourage you to create and maintain contacts with Assembly Members – the approach of the May elections is an opportune time for this – and our diocesan board of church and society is preparing to resource us for this task (a deanery approach might well be worth considering). The Presentation of Christ asks hard questions of us: How is Christ present in my life? Where is the Christ, who has already gone ahead of us, present in our communities? How do we present Christ to the world? Fresh engagement with the human and social issues that touch on us all will feed our responses and encourage our growth as Christian communities.
I am pleased to announce the following appointments:
Bill Rowell, to be Vicar of the newly grouped parishes of Welshpool, Castle Caereinion and Pool Quay.
Linden Elisabeth Fletcher, from the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, to be Vicar of Llanfair Caereinion, Llanllugan and Manafon (induction at Llanfair Caereinion on 9th March at 2 p.m.)
Colin Mansley, Vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Bartley Green, diocese of Birmingham, to be Rector of Trefnant, Cefn and Tremeirchion. Induction at Trefnant on April 30th at 7 p.m.
We say farewell this month to Mary Brotherston as she retires from stipendiary ministry. Mary has made a strong and lasting impression through her work in the parishes of Llysfaen and Llanddulas over the four years she has been with us and we are grateful for her ministry. We wish Mary well in her new home in Mold.
If you have not already done so, would you please respond to the World Mission survey recently sent to all clergy by Bill Rowell.
We now have another John Davies as a bishop in the Church in Wales. He is the present Dean of Brecon, John David Edward Davies, who was elected bishop of Swansea and Brecon last Tuesday. Your prayers are asked for him and his family as he prepares for his episcopal ordination at Llandaff cathedral on Friday May 2.
I draw your attention to the Church in Wales protocols for Immigration and Church in Wales Marriages which accompany this ad clerum.
Dr Stan Morton from Ruthin, Treasurer of LKC Tsunami Rehabilitation Fund, has contacted us asking for support for this charity. If you or any from your parishes would like more information please contact this office.