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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Pre-Lambeth hospitality programme (Word 26kb)
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JULY 2008
Dear Friends,
John the Baptist has been a significant reference point for me throughout my working life, and I’m constantly reminded of familiar features of ordained ministry whenever I look at the stained glass window in the chapel at Esgobty. The window came from St John the Baptist Church, Rhyl, when it closed 10 years ago, and while it is fairly traditional in style it hints at contemporary truths and future uncertainties. Bearing the Lamb at his breast and a staff in his hand, the Baptist’s unshod feet are set on the shifting sand of the river bank, subtly alluding to the constant change and unpredictability of events – Walter Brueggemann’s statement that “The world for which you have been so carefully prepared has been taken away from you, by the grace of God” is a reality for those of us who bear any pastoral responsibility, and one to be graciously accepted.
But to live with this truth is rarely comfortable, and we frequently find ourselves treading hesitantly over a landscape whose colour and contours are constantly changing. Nevertheless, this is the holy ground we’re called to walk on and work in.
Those who were ordained last weekend, a few days after the feast of the Nativity of the Baptist, begin their ministry in a changed world and a changed church, with a vocation to declare the Kingdom of God in fresh contexts and myriad new experiences. They will need our encouragement and support, although we may find them better equipped to adapt, in which case we have much to learn from those new to ministry. For all of us, however, the unpredictable ground we tread can be a trap for the ministerially unwary and we can find ourselves sinking into the soft sand of the river bed and becoming vocationally lost. The Baptist’s way was to direct attention away from himself and to point to Jesus. This was his gift to us and our hope. Such a focus steers us away from the dangers of frustration, fear of failure and an unhealthy self-consciousness and points us instead to wholeness and authenticity of living and life in the Holy Spirit.
Before I leave for Canterbury on July 15 the pre-Lambeth Conference Hospitality programme will focus much of our attention. Our guests are Doug Stevens (Riverina, Australia), Dean Wolfe (Kansas), Devaraj Bangera (Karnataka South, Church of South India), Sebastiao Soares (Recife, Brazil) and Salalah Okumu (Mumias, Kenya). We may also have with us the newly elected bishop of our link diocese of South West Tanganyika, John Simalenga. Some will be accompanied by their wives.
There are a series of small events and visits which will be confirmed with the individual visitors when they arrive, but the main opportunity to meet the bishops will be on Monday, 14th July, at St Joseph’s Shared School, Wrexham, at 7pm. Each of our visitors will make a short presentation about life in his diocese and there will be an opportunity to ask questions and speak informally. You are asked to come along and bring someone from each of your churches. Details of the programme are attached to this document and further enquiries and requests to meet individual bishops should be channeled through Bill Rowell.
Changes in the programming of events at the International Eisteddfod have led to a decision not to hold the annual open-air service at Valle Crucis Abbey. Instead, this year, a series of short acts of worship will be held at St John’s church opposite the pedestrian entrance to the Eisteddfod field at 12 noon each day.
+ John