Archdeacon Bernard writes...
Archdeacon Bernard Thomas is the Archbishop's Commissary, while we await our new bishop.
Archive
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
January 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This is probably the first and last time I shall write an ad clerum letter to you as Commissary for the Diocese during this interregnum in Esgobty; I think it is important that we carry on church life as far as possible and resist the temptation to shelve things until the new Bishop is in place. Clearly it makes sense, however, to postpone confirmations for a month or two until Bishop- elect Gregory has moved in, and you are welcome to contact the Diocesan Office with requested dates from June 1st onwards. Parishes will look forward eagerly to welcoming him for the first time to their part of the diocese.
February, y mis bach (the little month), brings us the beginning of Lent. This is the time of year when the days gradually lengthen - hence the origin of the word “lent”. There is a lovely expression in Welsh which refers to days in February and March lengthening cam ceiliog, a cockerel’s step: that imperceptible increase day by day which gradually adds up to light Spring evenings. It appears that if we are to suffer from low spirits and depression, then this is far more likely to happen in the dark days of Winter. The coming of Spring and greater light lifts our mood. Such a seasonal sequence fits in perfectly with the liturgical progression from Lent to Easter.
For many at the moment, however, not even the hope of bright and lengthening days will bring that welcome change of mood. I think of the thousands of people facing the threat and the increasing reality of redundancy and unemployment. During my days in the valley parishes of South Wales I remember the effect that recession had on so many families. The end of the old heavy industries of coal and steel changed communities radically - as happened here, too, of course, in the north eastern part of the diocese. In my old parishes of Dowlais and Maesteg an attempt was made to replace heavy industry with small factories which made ladies’ underwear and perfume. These are now closing down and the miners who swallowed their pride to work in them are being made redundant for the second time. The current recession brings a threat not only to manual jobs but to all areas of business and commerce. The empty Woolworths stores in many parishes is a clear indicator of this.
It was good, therefore, in our recent CME day, to hear that the Board of Church and Society are addressing these serious issues and the impact that recession, or even depression, will have on our parishes and how we can respond in our day to day ministry. It will be some time before the economy turns around, and the experts (dare we trust economic and financial experts?) tell us that things will get worse before getting better. Please register your interest with David Lewis, the Board’s secretary. We are, of course, people of hope, and we were reminded by Canon Dick France in Mold that the “wilderness” experience in the Hebrew mind was a positive one. It was there that God grew close to them, it was there that they became His people. Perhaps the current downturn, to give it its media description, will bring some positive benefits in a changed attitude to material growth and ever rising prosperity.
Mention of our day together in Mold reminds me that many of you felt and expressed a common sense of excitement and fellowship at the moment as we await the arrival of our new bishop, Gregory. His message to us was very well received. I hope that all of you will be able to be with him as he presides as a single celebrant at the Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday at 11.00am. in the Cathedral. Gregory, rightly, does not believe in the over exposure of a new bishop before his enthronement, but this is an opportunity too good to miss. He was delighted to know that so many of you were at the CME day. The reaffirmation together of our ordination vows as bishop, priests and deacons will be a perfect start to the ministry which both ours and his.
Gei dymuno pob bendith arnoch chi gyd yn ystod y Garawys. I’r Cymry Cymraeg gei ofyn i chi rhoi pob anogaeth i Gregory yn ei ymdrech i fod yn hollol rugl yn yr hen aeth. Ar ôl ei dysgu, mae e’n awyddus dros ben i’w defnyddio yn ein plith. Chwarae teg iddo, does 'na ddim llawer o gyfle iddo ymarfer yn Maidenhead lle mae e’n byw ar hyn o bryd!
With every good wish for Lent,
Bernard Thomas
Commissary to the Archbishop.
Parish of Caerwys and Bodfari.
This benefice remains vacant and awaits a suitable applicant for a House for Duty priest. Anyone interested in having more information is asked to contact the Archdeacon of St Asaph.
The following clergy have been welcomed into new posts in January
Congratulations to
- Heather Fenton - inducted as priest in charge at Gwyddelwern
- James Harris - Vicar of Bwlchgwyn and Minera
- John Harvey – Vicar of Meliden and Gwaenysgor and Diocesan Vocations Advisor
- Alan Ellacott – Vicar of Llandysilio, Penrhos, Llandrinio and Criggion
The Bishop’s secretary Glenys Croft hopes to return to work in mid-February following recent surgery. We wish her well for her continued recovery.