St Asaph Round-up: Dydd Iau, 3yddMawrth 2016
Newyddion o Esgobaeth Llanelwy:Thursday 3March 2016
Induction of Huw Butler at Christ Church, Rossett – 5 March at 3pm
This week:
The Big Sleep, a fundraising event in aid of Homes for Veterans, is taking place in St Asaph Cathedral on 4 March. We only ask you to experience one night out in the cold, but there are many Veterans who are homeless and have to sleep out night after night. Join us for the night, spread the word and get your family and friends to sponsor you, raising much needed funds for our work. See for more info and how to take part.
All Saints Church, Poyser Street, Wrexham are holding an EasterFair/Coffee Morning on 5 March at 10.30am in the Church Hall, Easter crafts, cake stall, raffle etc. All welcome.
Commissioning Service of the new president and trustees for St Asaph Diocese Mothers’ Union: Thursday 10 March at St Asaph Cathedral, 2.30pm. All clergy and staff are invited. Please confirm your attendance by email to or on 01745814897.
Crowdfunding and Digital Fundraising Workshop in Liverpool 10 March or 11 March in Manchester.To improveYOURknowledge and skills in crowdfunding and digital fundraising to raise funds for your work.
What’s covered:The basics of crowdfunding and digital fundraising; How to tell your story for success; Mapping your network: building and expanding your donor base; The communications plan – offline and online – for maximum crowdfunding success; Your overall campaign – ensuring you hit yours targets; Your crowdfunding and digital fundraising action plan.To book your place go to
St Asaph Youth Church –Friday 11 March – St Mary’s Church, Llanfair Caereinion, High Street, Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, SY21 0HL. 7-9pm. Fun, chat and a bit of worship. Future dates listed at
Please note that this is for 11-18 year olds only. If you intend to bring your child or youth group a consent form must be completed by a parent or guardian. Contact for more details.
The Cathedral Choir Annual Sponsored Hymnathon - Saturday 12 March, 10am-4pm. All are welcome to come and hear the choir throughout the day. This year monies raised will go towards Cathedral Choir funds and a local chosen charity. To sponsor a hymn please sign the list at the back of the Cathedral, contact Director of Music Alan McGuinness at the Cathedral Song School – (01745 584053) or via email
The North Wales Association of Church Bell Ringers will be holding their Annual General Meeting at St Giles Church Wrexham on 12 March. There will be an Evensong at 4pm. Bishop Gregory will be in attendance. For more information please contact Peter Furniss or ring 01691 772586.
Services of Induction, Licensing and Installation:
Chrism Eucharist – 24 March at 11am in St Asaph Cathedral. Lunch afterwards.
Easter Vigil and Diocesan Confirmation – 26 March at 7pm in St Asaph Cathedral.
The Induction of Dot Gosling to Llanasa and Ffynnongroyw, 11 April at 7 pm, Ss Asaph and Cyndeyrn, Llanasa.
The Licensing of Lorraine Badger-Watts as Priest in Charge of Gorsedd Group. 17 April in Ss Mary and Beuno, Whitford at 3.30 pm. Refreshments will be served after the service.
Training
Training Together – “British Values in a Church School Setting”. This workshop looks to discuss the roots and worth of “British Values” and see how to promote them within a more universal context of Gospel values and Christian praxis.This may be of particular interest to RE and Collective Worship coordinators and anyone who leads Collective Worship in school. Sessions are taking place on 7 March, in Gungrog School, Welshpool; 9 March in Ysgol Esgob Morgan, St Asaph or 15 March in St Mary’s School, Ruabon. All session are from 4-5 pm.Booking is essential, please contact or call 01745 532582.
Training Together – “Claiming Gift Aid and Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme(GASDS)”.This session will cover how to set up a Government Gateway and submit a claim using the online claim system. It will also cover when you can claim on cash donations and how to make that claim. Sessions are being held on 14 March, 2-4pm in St John’s Church, Pool Quay; 15 March, 7-9pm in St Peter’s, Holywell and 21 March, 2-4 pm in 10 Mwrog Street, Ruthin.Booking is essential, please contact or 01745 532582.
Leading School Worship, Tuesday 12 April, 7-9pm in St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School, Wrexham. Trainer: Mary Stallard, a priest in the diocese working as Director of the St Giles' RE/Faith Development Centre and Anglican Chaplain at St Joseph's Catholic and Anglican High School, Wrexham. The aim of the evening would be to examine the factors that enable the provision of good worship in school communities. In this session we will be looking at some examples of good practice and highlighting useful resources, considering the stages of planning, resourcing, delivering and monitoring worship and enabling participants to share experience and grow in confidence in leading prayer in schools.
Cost: free Refreshments (tea and coffee) included.Booking is essential, please contact: or Tel.01745 582245.
Listening - This is a half-day session that will focus on the importance of listening: To others, to ourselves and to God. The session will include activities, tools and discussion to improve our understanding about the need to listen and how we can do this.We sometimes hear what is being said, but do we listen? 14 April, 10am – 1pm inSt Margaret’s Church, Wrexham.Booking is essential, please contact: or Tel. 01745 582245.Cost:Free. Refreshments provided.
Mental Wellbeing and Spirituality Symposium with Keynote Speaker – Mark Yaconelli.
Should we in the Diocese of St Asaph seek to change attitudes, challenge stigma, encourage inclusion and promote social justice in the area of metal wellbeing and spirituality? The symposium will, through presentations, workshops and open discussion, look at what this might mean in practical terms and how we can be guided in theology and prayer. 11 May, 10am-4pm in Llangollen Pavilion. This event is relevant to all and is free of charge. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Booking is essential. Please contact or phone 01745 532582.
ACAT Foundation Course for Treasurers. The Association of Church Accountants and Treasurers is running a Foundation Course in Chester on Saturday 11 June. The course gives an overview of the responsibilities of a Church Treasurer and is not denomination specific. All Church Treasurers are member of ACAT and are therefore eligible to attend. Further details from
Information and marketplace
SHARE (Supporting Homeless Assisting Refugees Everywhere) are appealing for walking boots and sturdy shoes for desperate men, women and children fleeing war-torn Syria. The Average refugee walks about 110 miles to safety. Walking across unmade roads and dangerous terrain, along with small children, and all of the possessions they could carry. If you would like to donate your boots/shoes please bring them to the Diocesan Office, St Asaph by 10 March. You can learn more about SHARE by visiting their website
Please note the new contact details for Revd Huw Butler: The Vicarage, First Avenue, Llay. LL12 0TN.Phone: 01978 854755, email:
Please visit the new “StAR Resources and Information” page of the Diocesan website for information on The Big Switch, Messy Church and Christian Aid resources for Lent.
Transparent Television production company is looking for couples aged 70+ who are getting married this year to take part in a documentary for Channel 4. Please see the attached flyer for details.
Choros Gregorianos is a quartet of singers specialising in the performance of liturgical chant in a devotional and meditative context. They are looking for a parish within the diocese to host them for a Choral Evensong and a Liturgical Concert with a strong Celtic theme in 2017. It would be a great fundraising opportunity as they always make their events fundraising occasions for the host parish. If anyone is interested in hosting them, please contact Stephen Rainbird on 01603 612429 or via e-mail: .
Coming Soon
Introduction to the Diocese Day -15 March in the Diocesan Office, St Asaph. For new clergy and any others within the Diocese who would like to attend.
"Reflections of Easter” - Cor Cilcain will be giving a FREE concert of sacred music in support of the parish priest, The Rev’d Hugh Burgess who is walking 1500 miles (2400 km) from Halkyn to Santiago de Compostela. 20 March atSt Mary’s, Halkyn at 3pm. All donations will go to Jamie’s Fund, a local Halkyn charity set up to support mental health services in Uganda. Refreshments will be provided following the concert.
Father Forgive – How to forgive the unforgiveable”. See attached poster regarding the St. Asaph Mission Area Conference on Tuesday 22 March at St. Thomas’ Church, Rhyl commencing at 7.30pm. We are very privileged to have Robin Oak. Robin has written several books about his experiences as a serving police officer, recounting the gritty reality of being a committed Christian in very challenging environments – “With God on the Streets” and “Father forgive”. Robin speaks to all types and sizes of gatherings all over the UK and, at the end of the evening, anyone wishing to talk privately with him, is encouraged to do so. All are welcome– so please do come and bring a guest(s) if you are able. Refreshments will be served from 6.30pm and the evening. On-street car parking is available in the vicinity and there is some disabled car parking immediately opposite St. Thomas’ Church in Russell Road.
Reminders:
Appeal for donation for Syrian refugees - On 5 March a container will be leaving Wrexham with non-perishable and non-pork food for refugees in Syria.
Kate and Leane are appealing for donations to fill the container. The donations may be delivered to the Warehouse, Unit 8 Whitegate Industrial Estate, Wrexham (the same used for clothing sent to refugees at Calais.)
The warehouse will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11am-3pm. Kate can be contacted on 07791 270027.
What’s on
St. Deiniol's Church, Hawarden presents an Evening of Entertainment by Ruth Moore Williams, Singer, Storyteller and Musician."North Wales in Song and Story" will be held in the Tithe Barn, Church Lane, Hawarden CH5 3LT on Wednesday 16 March at 7pm. Admission £3, proceeds to Church Funds.
Come And Sing Sir John Stainer's Crucifixion at St Mary's Church, Ruabon on Saturday 19 March. Conducted by Gareth Erlandson, accompanied by Kevin Whitley. Rehearsal 3-5.30pm. Performance 7pm. Cost for singers and audience £5. Dress code for singers is all black or black and white. Please register interest with Gareth Erlandson at or on 07595 756599. Poster circulated previously.
Colwyn Choral Society will perform a concert on Saturday 19 March, St. Paul’s Church, Colwyn Bay, 7.30 pm including Mass in G by Schubert, Mozart’s Requiem and Marriage of Figaro Overture with soloists: Joanne Dexter, Christopher Steele, Margaret MacDonald, Alan Fairs accompanied by Philharmonia of North Wales Orchestra conducted by Graham Eccles and Martin Brown Organist. Tickets £12(students/children£6)on door Tel: 01492 583588.
Mold and District Choral Society presents “John Stainer: The Crucifixion” – Friday 25 March in St Matthew’s Church, Buckley at 12pm. Tickets £8 (Under 16s free) from 01352 757195 or Vaughan Davies, The Cross, Mold.
StAR - If you want something including in the St Asaph Round up, please send it to next StAR will be on Thursday 10 March.
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Sian Connelly
Administrative Assistant / Cymhorthydd Gweinyddol
Diocesan Office /Swyddfa'r Esgobaeth
High Street / Stryd Fawr
St. Asaph / Llanelwy
LL17 0RD