please find this weeks StAR newsletter from the diocese.
Caroline Bennett
ST ASAPH ROUND-UP
Thursday 1 July 2021
NEWYDDION O ESGOBAETH LLANELWY
Dydd Iau 1 Gorffenaf 2021
Ordination of Deacons Saturday 3 July, 10am: Six deacon candidate will be ordained by Bishop Gregory in St Asaph Cathedral. You can join in with the service via a youtube live-stream to our website: https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/ordinations/ Please hold the six candidates in your prayers:
Stephen Hayes, who will serve in Tanat-Vyrnwy Mission Area
Christopher Lawton, who will serve in Aber-Morfa Mission Area
Patrick Williams, who will serve in Wrexham Mission Area.
Michael Winwood, who serves as a chaplain in HMP Berwyn in Wrexham and will also work in the Maelor Mission Area
Adrian Johnson who will serve in Mold Mission Area
Natasha Quinn Thomas who will serve in Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area
Diocesan Offering This year the Diocesan Offering is being collected for DASU, the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit which supports anyone experiencing domestic abuse in North Wales. To help raise as much money as possible we’ve created an online giving account. You can find out more about the charity and make a donation at Diocesan Offering – JustGiving or via our website: Diocesan Offering – Diocese St. Asaph (dioceseofstasaph.org.uk) Our Diocesan Offering Officer, Roz Crawford has written to all churches with information about the charity and an encouragement to contribute generously to this appeal. You can read the letter in English or Cymraeg.
Twin my Vaccine, fund raising for UNICEF UK Unicef has vast experience in delivering vaccines worldwide and so will be major partners in distributing vaccines to the very poorest in the world through their association with the COVAX programme. Find out how you can donate the cost of your vaccination to support their work via Just Giving.com.
Bishop Gregory’s July Ad Clerum is now available to download here. In his July Ad Clerum, Bishop Gregory reflects on the more than 100 separate ordinations he’s carried out in St Asaph and remembers how each one is always a point of joy, hope and promise, the fulfilment of many years of dreams, planning and study and work.
Standing Committee Bulletin 18 for the meeting on 29th June Via Zoom is now available to download here. The Bulletin provides a summary of the discussion and decisions made.
Tourism Resources Company have been commissioned by National Churches Trust to undertake an evaluation of the Experiencing Sacred Wales project. As part of this process they are keen to gather feedback from churches, chapels and cathedrals that have been involved with the project. We would therefore be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey that can be accessed at the link below.
Please note the answers you provide are anonymous. Also when you click the submit button at the end of the survey your responses go directly back to Tourism Resources Company.
The closing date for completed surveys is Tuesday 6 July 2021.
St Grwst’s Church, Llanrwst – The Annual Flower Festival Friday 2nd July – Sunday 4th July. Displays of flowers will be set up in St Grwst’s and you are very welcome to come along and enjoy them. COVID restrictions will be in place. Refreshments cannot be served this year, but you are very welcome to bring your own refreshments and, weather permitting, enjoy them outside. There is no fee but donations to St Grwst’s will be gratefully received.
The Grants Committee is due to meet on the 26 July 2021. The committee considers applications for building, youth work, social engagement, and training funds. If your church needs financial support for building work or to kickstart a project in the community, the Grants Committee is a good place to start.
Safeguarding Training from St Padarn’s Institute – July 2021 The latest set of dates for safeguarding training from St Padarn’s are now available for bookings. Training is still on zoom in two parts, each lasting 2-2.5 hours.
Srebrenica Memorial Week 4th – 11th July Communities across the UK will commemorate the 26th anniversary of the genocide, where over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim Men and Boys were murdered, simply because of their faith. Churches are being encouraged to hold an act of commemoration between the 4th and 11th July which can take various forms including:
Holding a virtual Sunday service on either the 4th or 11th of July.
Posting our “Statement of Commemoration” on your website or social media to show your solidarity with the survivors of the Bosnian genocide;
Lighting a candle in remembrance of the victims of genocide;
Connecting with other faith groups to organise an interfaith event online or in-person, for reflection or prayers.
A range of resources available to support your act of commemoration, including a statement to mark the anniversary, speeches, prayers which can be found here.
Wellbeing Wrexham Tuesday 6 July, 6-7pm at All Saints Church, Southsea, Wrexham: A new peer to peer wellbeing support group for mental health, parenting struggles, bereavement, illness, addiction, loneliness, disability, pandemic worries and much more! Come and unburden – free, confidential and welcoming. Please see the poster for more information.
Theology for Life Are you wanting to deepen your faith or learn more about theology? If so, Theology for Life is for you. It is a great opportunity to study the Bible and theology in more depth, and relate it to your own life and the life of your local church and community. It is also a university accredited course in theology. You can gain a certificate by following the course for two years, a diploma in four years. In six years part time study you can gain a degree from the University of Wales, Trinity St David. It is possible to follow the course through attending a face to face or an online group, at a time that is convenient to you. For more information see our website Theology For Life – St Padarn’s Institute (stpadarns.ac.uk) and apply initially through contacting admissions@stpadarns.ac.uk. For more information to contact Lyn Davies on Lyn.Davies@stpadarns.ac.uk. The (new) deadline for applications is July 5th.
Helping our churches reach net zero carbon The Church in Wales’ Climate Change Champion, Julia Edwards has developed a new document “A practical path to net zero carbon for our churches.” with recommendations that aim to help churches reduce their energy use and associated carbon emissions.
Global Hunger Appeal Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal to address the growing food insecurity faced by 41 million people in 43 countries. The Global Hunger Appeal will raise funds for Christian Aid’s experienced partners in some of the worst affected areas. For more information click here To donate to the appeal please visit: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/global-hunger-emergency-appeal
Tourism Resources Company have been commissioned by National Churches Trust to undertake an evaluation of the Experiencing Sacred Wales project. As part of this process they are keen to gather feedback from churches, chapels and cathedrals that have been involved with the project. We would therefore be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete the survey that can be accessed at the link below. Experiencing Sacred Wales (snapsurveys.com) Please note the answers you provide are anonymous. Also when you click the submit button at the end of the survey your responses go directly back to Tourism Resources Company. The closing date for completed surveys is Tuesday 6 July 2021.
Rural Mission Sunday Sunday 18 July: Our Rural Affairs Officer, Revd Hermione Morris has created resources and prayers for churches to mark Rural Mission Sunday. You can find them at https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/rural/
StAsaphParishchurch Following extensive re-ordering over fifteen months, the parish church has now re-opened for services and also for visiting. The church is open for individual prayer and for visitors to see the completed re-ordering work every Thursday afternoon from 12-4:30 pm. All welcome; no booking is necessary.
Hymn Suggestions Those fortunate enough to be allowed to sing in church may be interested in the ‘Hymn Suggestion‘ section of ‘Church Service Resources’ on the diocesan website. It comprises a list of items for each Sunday drawn from a range of hymn books. The emphasis is on congregational singing, rather than on items more suited to choirs and music groups. This is in addition to the ready-to-print, free-to-download material available on the ‘Sunday Reading Sheets‘ section.
Funding for Security Measures to Protect Places of Worship Against Hate Crime This Home Office funding aims to reduce the risk and impact of hate crime at places of worship such as churches, gurdwaras, mosques, temples, and associated faith community centres across England and Wales. You will need to show documentary evidence of a hate crime at your place of worship in order apply. The deadline for applications is 23:50 on 2 July 2021. Grants of up to £56,000 are available per place of worship to cover the costs of installing up to three security measures from the following list: • CCTV (fixed cameras, not pan-tilt cameras) • Fencing and/or railings (no more than 2.1m high) • Manually operated pedestrian and vehicle gates • Door hardening, locks and mail box/mail bag • Reinforcing single glazed windows (with anti-shatter film or bars/grilles only) • Intruder alarms including integrated smoke/heat detection • Door entry access control (fob or keypad) • Video intercom systems • Lighting (building mounted) The funding only covers the provision and installation of these security measures. It does not cover other associated costs such as licensing and planning permission, or ongoing costs such as charges for annual service, maintenance and monitoring. All measures under the scheme must be completed and delivered by 31 March 2022. Full details can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme
A host of new funding opportunities have become available including Landfill Disposal Tax communities scheme, Virgin Media O2 Together Fund, Asda Foundation and many more. For full details please click here or visit our website.
Church Emergency Support Fund The DBF has unanimously approved the creation of a new Church Emergency Support Fund to offer additional help to those churches that are experiencing acute financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the consequent lockdowns. The Church Emergency Support Fund is a fund of £140,000 established by the St Asaph Diocesan Board of Finance using funds that have been generously provided by the Representative Body of the Church in Wales. These funds are to be targeted where there is genuine need and where additional emergency financial support is needed to ensure the survival and eventual flourishing of a church community. Details, including further guidance and an application form are on the diocesan website.
If you want something included in the St Asaph Round up, please send it to Sian Charlesworth. The next StAR will be on Thursday 8 July 2021 You can see StAR and access previous editions on our website.
Diocesan Office, Diocese of St Asaph, High Street, St Asaph, Denbighshire, LL17 0RD tel: 01745 582245
