St Asaph Round-up: Dydd Iau, 4yddChwefror 2016
Newyddion o Esgobaeth Llanelwy:Thursday 4February 2016
Mark Yaconelli’s Residency: The Hearth Project – One of the key strands of Mark’s work during his six month residency is training people to engage better with their local community, through the running of Hearth Projects. These are community events, planned around a specific theme and designed to get people from different walks of life to communicate by sharing their story. This is pioneering and innovative work which has been shown to boost community spirit and put the church back into the centre of community life. We’re excited to be offering 60 people from across the diocese the opportunity to participate in these training events, which will lead on to future Hearth Projects. There are three training sessions planned (one for each archdeaconry) and then a final diocesan event.If you are interested in taking part, please contact your area dean as soon as possible. You can find out more information at
This week:
Dyffryn Conwy Mixed Choir will be singing Brahms Requiem on Saturday 6 February at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno. Soloists Iona jones, soprano and Owen Webb, bass with The North Wales Sinfonia and Graham Eccles organist. Conductor Trystan Lewis. Further information phone 01492 640703 or 01492 877700.
Choral Evensong in St Giles Church, Wrexham. Sunday 7 February at 6pm the choral evensong will host a visiting choir, Laudes, a chamber choir based in the Wirral dedicated to singing church, sacred and classical music.
Visit My Mosque - You are invited by Wrexham Muslim Association to their Mosque Open Day, Sunday 7February, 11am – 3pm. For more information please see attached.
St Peter's church, Ruthin will be holding their annual pancake race on 9 February at 12 noon after the pancake bell has been rung. All ages welcome to run carrying frying pan and pancake, under 5s to grown-ups, get someone to sponsor you. All money goes to Ty Croeso at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
St Paul's Church, Craig-y-Don is holding a Shrove Tuesday social evening for the Rhos Cystennin Benefice on Tuesday 9 February at 7pm. The event includes pancakes, hot drinks and a quiz; tickets are £3.
The Big Church Switch - The Church in Wales, along with the Church in England and other denominations, is launching The Big Church Switch initiative on Ash Wednesday (10 February). Parishes will be able to register their interest in switching to new renewable options for electricity, reducing their gas costs, and moving to greener services via a dedicated webpage for church denominations throughout the UK. Churches and schools will be encouraged to switch as soon as their contracts come up for renewal. The initiative is designed to send a strong signal to governments and businesses that Christians are prepared to lead the way and that switching to renewables is crucial if we are to live and enjoy God's world together. Look out for more information after 10 February.
Frugal Lunches every Friday during Lent at Holy Trinity Church Rhostyllen, the first lunch will be Friday 12 February at 12pm. Cost of Lunch is £2. This includes Soup & Roll, Bara Brith, Tea or Coffee.
Bible Society Wales has organised a touring event across Wales visiting Swansea, Llanelli, Pontypridd, Aberystwyth, Rhyl and Old Colwyn. The event is entitled “Wales to the World” and is being performed by Dai Woolridge and colleagues from Bible Society, Wales, in Rhyl Sussex Street Baptist Church on Saturday 13 February commencing at 7.30pm. The evening includes “song, story-telling and spoken word” and celebrates the contribution that Wales and Welsh people have made to Christian spiritual heritage over the centuries, including William Morgan, Mary Jones, Thomas Charles, Daniel Rowland and Evan Roberts. Tickets are £5 each and they can be obtained from Trevor Casey on 01745-342268 (or via ). Full details are shown in the posters (circulated previously). Tickets are limited so please obtain yours as soon as possible.
Training
Please note the amended date and venue for “Exploring the Power of Prayer through Prayer, Study (learning) and Action”Saturday 5 March, 10am-3pm at St Deiniols Library, Hawarden.
Very much in line with and enhancing the 2020 Vision, this is the first of 3 taster days, experiencing first hand the benefits of a method which can expand your faith and understanding of God. This method can be used within every environment which you are part of, “any time, any place, anywhere”. It is a way of supporting your Christian Ministry and to gain the support of others.
In this method, PRAYER: is about being “prayerful” and bringing each situation to God. This may be thought of as “communion”, being at one together with God and the church.
STUDY/LEARNING: may include formal study but is more about understanding the context in which we are working as Christian disciples working to bring about the mission of the church. This may be thought of as “companionship”, breaking bread together. After all, if we want to understand someone what better way is there than to sit down with them for a meal? The weekend is structured around 15 talks (given by lay people and clergy), 5 meditations and a daily Communion. There are opportunities for discussion, silence and free time as well as laughter (and sometimes tears). It can be quite intense and is often a life changing experience.
ACTION: Again this is action in its widest sense. The method encourages people be Christian leaders in the broadest sense, where they are in parish, at work or in other aspects of their lives.
For: These sessions would be of benefit to both Lay and Clergy.
Cost: Free. Refreshments and lunch provided.
Contact:
Booking is essential please contact: or 01745 582245
Hope in Dementia, a one day conference for those supporting people living with Dementia on Monday 8 February, 2016 atLlanelli Elim Church, Myrtle House,LlanelliSA15 1LH. Cost - £10 with lunch provided by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and drinks available throughout the day. Details on the programme circulated previously.
Last Chance to book - Setting up a Mission Area Leadership Team – Changing from a Deanery to a Mission Area is more than a name change but a culture change. This is an opportunity to look at MA profiles as a basis for setting up a team and also looking at future development, responsibilities and training to make the team as efficient and focused as possible. 9 February, 7-9 pm in St Margaret’s Church, Wrexham.Booking is essential. Please contact Sian by Friday 5February on 01745 582245 or email
Low cost training for volunteers - From Isolation to Inclusion – Tackling Social Isolation in Your Community.The training takes place at Trafford Hall National Communities Resource Centre near Chester on 11 – 12 February 2016. For more information please click on the link below.
Free Hustings Training, Wrexham & Bangor - TCC andCytûnare offering free training for anyone interested in organising or chairing a hustings event ahead of theelections for the National Assembly for Wales.
This will include an introduction to the Assembly's responsibilities and the electoral system, as well as the practicalities of running an effective meeting.
- Thursday 11Feb – Penuel Baptist Church, Lôn Cariadon (Love Lane), Bangor LL57 2TE, 7pm.
- Friday 12 Feb – The Peace & Justice Centre, 37 Kingsmills Road, Wrexham LL13 8NH, 7pm.
Advanced booking isn't essential, but it would be helpful if you could email to let us know if you're planning on attending.
A “Guide to Planning an Election Husting Meeting” is available to download in English and Welsh.
TCC is running a training course designed for community leaders: 6pm 25th February - 6pm 27th February 2016
This training is an introduction to community organising, designed to give participants the skills and confidence to become leaders or develop their leadership roles in their communities. The course will teach you how to create strong relationships, in order to build power in the community and take action on the issues you care about. The sessions will be interactive, and participants should expect to be challenged. However, the course is also great fun, and allows time for participants to get to know people from other groups and organisations.
TCC's residential community organising training is offered free of charge to anyone from a TCC member group. Others are welcome to attend at a charge: £200 per place for individuals/organisations, £150 for charities/not-for-profit organisations (including churches).
More details at
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
FREE Volunteer Training - for volunteers who would like to help out with the holiday hunger project running in Caia Park and Plas Madoc please see the information circulated previously. This training is for anyone wanting to help out in the project taking place in Gwenfro School or preparing food in St Marks. Please contact Sarah Wheat on for more information or to book your place.
Coming Soon
St Cystennin’s Church proudly presents a very special Valentine’s Day Service celebrating all loving relationships. 14 February at 9.30am. Everyone welcome.
RSCM “Come and Try the Organ.”Have you ever wanted to have a go at playing the organ? Well now is your chance! Saturday 13 February, 2-4pm in St Asaph Cathedral or Saturday 20 February, 2-4pm in All Saints Church, Gresford. Details and how to register on the attached poster.
'All Loved Up' 6pm on 14 February in St Peter's Parish Church Holywell is an open and lively worship service for ALL young people to celebrate St Valentine's Day. Whereas all ages are definitely welcome the worship will be more familiar to young people leading up to and including secondary school age. There will be plenty of time to get to know each other over pizza and cake for afters. Contact Lynn Fearnhead 01352 780740 or e-mail for more information.
Service of Welcome for Mark Yaconelli – 28 February, 3.30pm in St Asaph Cathedral. The service will be an opportunity to meet Mark and his family and welcome them to North Wales for his six month residency. The service is open to all andis followed by afternoon tea. For catering purposes please confirm your attendance to , 01745 582245 by Thursday 18 February. For more information visit
St Asaph Youth Church – 2016 Dates.
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.
Saturday 18 June – All day in Betws y Coed. Forest church in the morning and a tree top zip wire safari in the afternoon.
October 21-23 – Youth Church Big Weekend Away. approx. £50 per young person.
December 19– Youth Church Christmas Special! St Asaph Cathedral. 7-9pm.
Please note that this is for 11-18 year olds only. We have a fab team of Diocesan Youth Workers who help out. However, if you are travelling a long way I provide free teas, coffees and soft drinks in a local hostelry!
Also if you intend to bring your child or youth group I need a consent form filling out by a parent or guardian. Please contact for more details on these events including venues and timings.
Cathedral Tour with Aled Jones – Friday 13 May in St Asaph Cathedral. For tickets visit ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 844 0444.
Information and Marketplace
Preparing for the National Living Wage – important information for churches which employ people
As part of preparing for the new National Living Wage, set to come into force on 1 April 2016, HMRC has published a four-step guide for businesses on the living wage website. From that date, workers in the UK aged over 25 earning the minimum hourly rate of £6.70 will see a 50p increase to £7.20 per hour.
The Government is asking firms to:
- Check you know who is eligible in your organisation.
- Take the appropriate payroll action.
- Let your staff know about their new pay rate.
- Check that your staff under 25 are earning at least the right rate of National Minimum Wage.
HMRC will have responsibility for enforcing the new National Living Wage in addition to the National Minimum Wage from April 2016 and – if previous experience is any guide – will take firm action where an employer fails to pay the correct wage.
Resources for Lent - the Revd John Harvey, Director of Spirituality, has provided some Lent course material for individuals and groups featuring online video, a downloadable workbook, and books to help with reflecting on Scripture. Details on the attached “Spirituality Matters.”
Bishop John Dudley Davies, Honorary Assistant Bishop in this Diocese, has written the Archbishop of Wales’ Lent Book: "Three Mountains to Freedom". It owes much to his encounters in Wales, including at least three references to Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant. All profits from the book will go to The Church in Wales Mobile Dental Clinic in Gaza. You can find other Lent resources suggested by the Revd Dr Richard Hainsworth at
The 2016 Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) Lent Bookis “Dust and Glory”which contains Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day and is by David Runcorn. £7.99.Please follow the link for more information and other books available this Lent and Easter.
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) has produced a website dedicated to pilgrimage through Lent. Visit it at:
Welcoming Refugees in Wales - TCC (Together Creating Communities) is encouraging people to lobby their local councillor to call on their local authority to join the Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme. So far only four Welsh local authorities have joined the scheme and accepted 50 refugees from Syria. TCC has provided the attached information to help you compose a suitable letter to your local councillor.
Wrexham County Borough Council are appealing for members for their education appeal panels. Please find attached an application form and additional information in English and Welsh.
Cymorth Cristnogol - Mae Gwasanaethau ar gyfer ysgolion cynradd ac uwchradd (cymraeg a saesneg) ar gael i’w lawrlwytho o wefan Cymorth Cristnogol. Ffocws y mis hwn yw Masnach Deg. Gobeithio y byddwch yn eu cael yn ddefnyddiol. Byddem yn falch o dderbyn unrhyw adborth – e welwch fod yno wasanaeth arbennig am y ffoaduriaid hefyd.
Christian Aid - The February primary and secondary school assemblies are now live on our website. The focus this month is Fair Trade. We hope you will find them useful and would welcome any feedback! Thank you!ou will also find here a special assembly focussing on the refugee crisis.
Reminders:
Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir invites you to join them to celebrate St David's Day, on Sunday 28 February at St Mary's Parish Church, Rhuddlan at7pm. Refreshments and Grand Raffle. Admission by £8 ticket available by phoning Allan on 01745 590311, Sara on 01745 590050 or they are on sale at Rejuva, High St Rhuddlan & at Parry's Corner Pharmacy, Rhyl. In aid of St Mary's Pathway Project.
“All One in Christ” a one day conference at Holy Trinity Church, Llandrindod Wells on 23 April 2016 with the purpose of establishing Changing Attitude Cymru across Wales. Guest speakers Jayne Ozanne formerly director of Accepting Evangelicals and Jeremy Timm, National Co-ordinator of Changing Attitude England. Arrival 10am for coffee, finish with Holy Eucharist at 3.15pm led by Bishop Stephen Lowe. To book your place please contact Sue Sawyer at r at ‘Winwood’ Vicarage Road, Rhydymwyn, Mold CH7 5HL by 1 March.
Changing Attitude campaigns for the full inclusion of LGBT people within the Church in Wales.
Vacancy- Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy, established 15 years ago and operating under the auspices of Churches Together in Cheshire (Registered Charity No: 1115015), seeks to appoint a full-time Team Leader for its committed and enthusiastic chaplaincy team. Completed applications are required by 22 February. Interviews are planned for 7 March. More details circulated previously.
The choir of St Paul's Church, Llandudno is in need of more women's choir gowns - ideally red. Does any church in the diocese have any spare or unused ones that they'd be willing to give away or to sell? Contact Deborah Haigh-Roberts on 07867 964010 or
What’s on
“Living Water” – Chrism Reflective Weekend at Abbey House, Glastonbury, Somerset. 26-28 February 2016. Booking form and additional information circulated previously.
Youth and Children’s Worker Breakfasts 2016– If you are interested in Youth and Children’s work within our Diocese or are already involved then these breakfasts are for you.To book your place please contact
South – Gregynog Hall, Gregynog.
27 Feb, 11 June, 10 Dec. All sessions run from 10am-12.30pm. Free of Charge.
North – Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden.
21May, 3 Dec. All sessions run from 10am-12.30pm. Free of charge.
Commissioning Service of the new president and trustees for St Asaph Diocese Mothers’ Union: Thursday 10 March at St Asaph Cathedral. All clergy and staff are invited. Please confirm your attendance by email to or on 01745814897.