Author: stmelangell_l5nfea

CORONAVIRUS – COVID19 CORONAFIRWS – COVID19

FURTHER PASTORAL GUIDANCE FROM THE BENCH OF BISHOPS OF THE CHURCH IN WALES

CANLLAWIAU BUGEILIOL PELLACH ODDI WRTH FAINC ESGOBION YR EGLWYS YNG NGHYMRU

EFFECTIVE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE MEWN GRYM NES CLYWIR YN WAHANOL

Updated guidance

Since our pastoral guidance dated 31 March was distributed, Welsh Government Regulations regarding funerals have been amended. In light of this, we have also amended the “Funerals” section of our pastoral guidance, and this document contains the up-to-date version.

Canllawiau wedi’u diweddaru

Ers dosbarthu’n canllawiau bugeiliol sy’n ddyddiedig 31 Mawrth, mae Rheoliadau Llywodraeth Cymru ynghylch angladdau wedi cael eu diwygio. Yn sgil hyn, rydym ninnau hefyd wedi diwygio adran “Angladdau” ein canllaw bugeiliol, a’r ddogfen hon yw’r fersiwn gyfredol.

Church buildings

All church buildings remain closed until further notice. This means churches must not be open for public worship or solitary prayer.

Adeiladau eglwysig

Mae pob adeilad eglwysig yn parhau i fod ar gau nes bydd rhybudd pellach. Mae hyn yn golygu na ddylai eglwysi fod yn agored ar gyfer addoliad cyhoeddus nac ar gyfer gweddi bersonol.

Worship has been recorded and broadcast both commendably and effectively from parsonages over recent days. Whilst the Welsh Government Regulations now permit a cleric to record or broadcast a service (without a congregation) from church buildings, the desirability and advisability of doing so will vary between different contexts. Individual Bishops will advise further on this matter within their respective dioceses and any such events should be held only in strict accordance with those diocesan guidelines, or with the explicit permission of the diocesan Bishop.

Bu i addoliad clodwiw ac effeithiol gael ei recordio a’i ddarlledu o bersondai dros y dyddiau diwethaf. Tra bo Rheoliadau Llywodraeth Cymru yn awr yn caniatáu i glerig recordio neu ddarlledu gwasanaeth (heb gynulleidfa) o adeiladau eglwysig, bydd dymunoldeb a doethineb gwneud hynny yn amrywio rhwng gwahanol gyd-destunau. Bydd Esgobion unigol yn cynghori ymhellach ar y mater hwn yn eu priod esgobaethau a dylid cynnal unrhyw ddigwyddiadau o’r fath yn unol yn llwyr â’r canllawiau esgobaethol hynny, neu gyda chaniatâd penodol yr Esgob cadeiriol.

The Welsh Government Regulations also permit clergy to visit their churches, and for other church officers and volunteers to visit churches only to undertake a voluntary or charitable duty, where it is not reasonably practicable to undertake that duty from home. It is therefore possible for essential and urgent site inspections to be undertaken by clerics, or by another person nominated by the Incumbent, Ministry/Mission Area Leader, Area Dean or Archdeacon. We ask that such visits are kept to an absolute minimum.

Mae Rheoliadau Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd yn caniatáu i glerigion ymweld â’u heglwysi, ac i swyddogion a gwirfoddolwyr eglwysig eraill ymweld ag eglwysi i gyflawni dyletswydd wirfoddol neu elusennol yn unig, lle nad yw’n rhesymol ymarferol cyflawni’r ddyletswydd honno gartref. Felly mae’n bosibl i glerigion, neu berson arall a enwebwyd gan y Periglor, Arweinydd yr Ardal Weinidogaeth/Genhadaeth, Deon Bro neu Archddiacon, gynnal archwiliadau safle hanfodol a phan fo’u dwys angen. Gofynnwn i ymweliadau o’r fath ddigwydd mor anaml ag a ellir.

The use of church buildings for essential voluntary services (such as existing foodbanks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters) is permitted by the Welsh Government Regulations. Church buildings may also, upon the request of the Welsh Ministers or a local authority, be used to provide urgent public services. All reasonable measures should be taken to ensure that social distancing practices and other hygiene precautions are followed while those services are provided. Any new use of a church building for essential voluntary / public services should be expressly supported by the incumbent or Area Dean and the diocesan bishop.

Mae Rheoliadau Llywodraeth Cymru yn caniatáu defnyddio adeiladau eglwysig ar gyfer gwasanaethau gwirfoddol hanfodol (megis y banciau bwyd, ceginau cawl a llochesi i’r digartref sydd eisioes yn cael eu cynnal). Gellir hefyd defnyddio adeiladau eglwysig, ar gais Gweinidogion Cymru neu awdurdod lleol, i ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus brys. Dylid cymryd pob mesur rhesymol i sicrhau bod arferion pellhau cymdeithasol a rhagofalon hylendid eraill yn cael eu dilyn wrth i’r gwasanaethau hynny gael eu darparu. Dylai unrhyw ddefnydd newydd o adeilad eglwysig ar gyfer gwasanaethau gwirfoddol / cyhoeddus hanfodol gael ei gefnogi’n benodol gan y periglor neu’r Deon Bro a’r esgob cadeiriol.

Further guidance on the care and use of church buildings is being issued by the officers of the Representative Body.

Mae swyddogion Corff y Cynrychiolwyr yn cyhoeddi arweiniad pellach ar ofal a’r defnydd o adeiladau eglwysig.

Pastoral visiting

Clergy and others duly licensed or commissioned should exercise their ordinary pastoral ministry from a distance, by phone and online. Pastoral visits should only be undertaken where essential; such visits should generally be to the doorstep and social distancing measures must be scrupulously observed. Individual Bishops may issue more detailed advice to their clergy on what they consider to be ‘essential’ visits and may be consulted by clergy in any cases of doubt.

Ymweld bugeiliol

Dylai clerigion ac eraill sydd wedi’u trwyddedu neu eu comisiynu’n briodol arfer eu gweinidogaeth fugeiliol arferol o bell, dros y ffôn ac ar-lein. Dim ond pan fo’n hanfodol y dylid cynnal ymweliadau bugeiliol; yn gyffredinol dylai ymweliadau o’r fath fod at stepen y drws a rhaid cadw’n llym at fesurau pellhau cymdeithasol. Gall Esgobion unigol gyhoeddi cyngor manylach i’w clerigion ar yr hyn y maent yn ei ystyried yn ymweliadau ‘hanfodol’ a gall clerigion ymgynghori â hwy pan fo amheuaeth.

Funerals

Funeral services should not take place in churches at the current time. In this case, we are going a step further than legally required, but we believe that the wellbeing of mourners, ministers and other church officers is best served by this additional precaution.

Angladdau

Ni all gwasanaethau angladd gymryd lle mewn eglwysi ar hyn o bryd. Yn yr achos hwn, rydym yn mynd gam ymhellach na’r hyn sy’n ofynnol yn gyfreithiol, ond credwn mai’r rhagofal ychwanegol hwn yw’r ffordd orau o amddiffyn lles galarwyr, gweinidogion a swyddogion eglwysig.

Funeral services at the graveside may continue. Clergy and others duly licensed may also preside at funerals in crematoria. However, the Bishops strongly urge ministers who fall into any of the UK Government’s categorisations of persons at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus not to undertake such ministry personally, and to delegate to colleagues instead. The full list of such categories is available here.

Gall gwasanaethau angladd ar lan y bedd barhau i gymryd lle. Gall clerigion ac eraill sydd â thrwydded briodol hefyd lywyddu mewn angladdau mewn amlosgfeydd. Fodd bynnag, mae’r Esgobion yn annog yn gryf na ddylai gweinidogion sy’n perthyn i unrhyw un o ddosbarthiadau Llywodraeth y DU o bobl sydd mewn mwy o berygl o salwch difrifol yn sgil y coronafirws ymgymryd â gweinidogaeth o’r fath ar hyn o bryd, gan yn hytrach ei dirprwyo i gydweithwyr. Mae rhestr lawn o’r dosbarthiadau hyn ar gael yma.

In accordance with the most recent Welsh Government Regulations, attendance at these funerals must now by limited to the person responsible for arranging the funeral and a small number of mourners (who may be accompanied by a carer if necessary) invited to attend by the person responsible for arranging the funeral. Our view remains that for funerals at the graveside the ‘small number’ should not exceed ten. Everyone attending a funeral must take all reasonable measures to stay two metres away from someone not of their household.

Yn unol â Rheoliadau diweddaraf Llywodraeth Cymru, rhaid cyfyngu presenoldeb yn yr angladdau hyn i’r person sy’n gyfrifol am drefnu’r angladd a nifer fach o alarwyr (a all fod yng nghwmni gofalydd os oes angen) sydd wedi eu gwahodd gan y person sy’n gyfrifol am drefnu’r angladd. Ein barn ni o hyd yw na ddylai’r ‘nifer fach’ mewn angladdau ar lan y bedd fod yn fwy na deg. Rhaid i bawb sy’n mynychu angladd gymryd pob mesur rhesymol i aros oleiaf dau fetr i ffwrdd oddi wrth rywun nad yw o’u haelwyd hwy.

We encourage clergy to communicate carefully with funeral directors, and to confirm that the funeral director will assume responsibility for compliance with the Regulations, including inviting mourners to be present and ensuring that social distancing measures are observed. The funeral should be kept brief, omitting optional parts of the funeral service.

Rydym yn annog clerigion i gyfathrebu’n ofalus â threfnyddion angladdau, ac i gadarnhau y bydd y trefnydd angladdau yn arddel y cyfrifoldeb o gydymffurfio â’r Rheoliadau, gan gynnwys gwahodd galarwyr i fod yn bresennol a sicrhau bod mesurau pellhau cymdeithasol yn cael eu dilyn. Dylai’r angladd fod yn fyr, gan hepgor rhannau dewisol o’r gwasanaeth angladd.

The Church in Wales permits fees due under Welsh Church (Burial Grounds) Act 1945 to be waived in exceptional circumstances. We are sure that clergy will be sensitive to the current circumstances, and clergy are reminded that they are permitted to waive their ministry fees if they consider it appropriate to do so.

Mae’r Eglwys yng Nghymru yn caniatáu hepgor, mewn amgylchiadau eithriadol, y ffioedd sy’n ddyledus o dan Ddeddf Eglwys Cymru (Claddfeydd) 1945. Rydym yn sicr y bydd clerigion yn sensitif i’r amgylchiadau presennol, ac atgoffir clerigion y caniateir iddynt hepgor eu ffioedd gweinidogaeth os ydynt o’r farn ei bod yn briodol gwneud hynny.

It is likely that Welsh Government Regulations regarding funerals will be further amended over coming weeks, in which case our guidance will be reviewed and amended. In due course we will issue guidance on services of remembrance for use once we are able to return to our church buildings.

Mae’n debygol y bydd Rheoliadau Llywodraeth Cymru ynghylch angladdau yn cael eu diwygio ymhellach dros yr wythnosau nesaf, ac os felly bydd ein canllawiau yn cael eu hadolygu a’u diwygio. Maes o law byddwn yn cyhoeddi canllawiau ar wasanaethau coffa i’w defnyddio unwaith y byddwn yn gallu dychwelyd i’n hadeiladau eglwysig.

Marriage

Marriages and marriage blessings can no longer take place in churches. If a couple wish to marry because of an extreme pastoral emergency, it may be possible to obtain an Archbishop of Canterbury’s Special Licence for a wedding outside of a church, and clergy should discuss the matter with their diocesan bishop before then contacting the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Faculty Office at faculty.office@1thesanctuary.com.

Priodas

Ni all priodasau na bendithio priodsas ddigwydd mewn eglwysi mwyach. Os yw cwpl yn dymuno priodi oherwydd argyfwng bugeiliol eithafol, efallai y bydd yn bosibl cael Trwydded Arbennig Archesgob Caergaint ar gyfer priodas y tu hwnt i’r eglwys, a dylai clerigion drafod y mater gyda’u hesgob cadeiriol cyn cysylltu â Swyddfa Hawleb Archesgob Caergaint ar faculty.office@1thesanctuary.com.

Baptism

Baptisms can no longer take place in churches, and should only take place at home, hospital, hospice or other location in case of an extreme pastoral emergency, where baptism may be administered by a lay person. The order for emergency baptism is appended below.

Bedydd

Ni all bedyddiadau ddigwydd mwyach mewn eglwysi, a dim ond gartref a mewn ysbyty, hosbis neu leoliad arall y dylid eu cynnal mewn argyfwng bugeiliol eithafol, lle gall bedydd gael ei weinyddu gan berson lleyg. Mae’r drefn ar gyfer bedydd mewn argyfwng wedi’i atodi isod.

Prayer and witness

The duty of the people of God to witness to Christ is not diminished at this time; neither is our obligation to pray without ceasing for our communities and all in need. We commend all that is being done in God’s service to care pastorally for our communities, and to enable worship, prayer and devotion to continue at home.

Gweddïo a thystiolaethu

Nid yw dyletswydd pobl Dduw i dystiolaethu i Grist wedi ei leihau un dim, na’r alwad ddwyfol i weddïo’n ddi-baid dros ein cymunedau a phawb mewn angen. Rydym yn cymeradwyo popeth sy’n cael ei wneud yng ngwasanaeth Duw i ofalu’n fugeiliol dros ein cymunedau, ac i alluogi addoliad, gweddi a defosiwn i barhau ar yr aelwyd.

We continue to hold all who are anxious, all who are unwell, and all who are grieving in our prayers, asking that the presence of the risen Christ may be near to us all and give us assurance, peace and strength at this painful and anxious time.

Rydym yn parhau i gynnal yn ein gweddïau bawb sy’n bryderus, pawb sy’n sâl, a phawb sy’n galaru, gan erfyn ar i bresenoldeb y Crist atgyfodedig fod wastad gerllaw, yn rhoi inni fendithion sicrwydd, tangnefedd a nerth yn y dyddiau poenus a phryderus hyn.

AN ORDER FOR EMERGENCY BAPTISM

In an emergency, if no ordained minister is available, a lay person may be the minister of baptism. Before baptizing, the minister should ask the name of the infant / person to be baptized. If, for any reason, there is uncertainty as to the infant / person’s name, the baptism can be properly administered without a name (so long as the identity of the person baptized can be duly recorded).

The following form is sufficient:

The minister pours water on the person to be baptized, saying

I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Then all may say the Lord’s Prayer and the Grace.

BEDYDDIO MEWN ARGYFWNG

Mewn argyfwng, onid oes gweinidog ordeiniedig ar gael, gall person lleyg weinyddu bedydd. Cyn bedyddio, dylai’r gweinidog ofyn am enw’r plentyn / person sydd i’w fedyddio. Os oes amheuaeth, am ba reswm bynnag, ynglŷn â’r enw, gellir gweinyddu’r bedydd heb enw (ar yr amod y gellir cofnodi’n gywir pwy yn union a fedyddiwyd).

Y mae’r ffurf a ganlyn yn ddigonol:

Y mae’r gweinidog yn tywallt dŵr ar y sawl sydd i’w fedyddio, gan ddweud

Yr wyf yn dy fedyddio di yn Enw’r Tad a’r Mab a’r Ysbryd Glân.

Amen.

Yna gall pawb ddweud Gweddi’r Arglwydd a’r Gras.

Any person who has administered baptism privately in an emergency should make a careful record of the date and place of baptism and of the identity of the person baptised. He / she should forward details to the parish priest as soon as possible and without delay.

The parish priest should ensure that the customary record is entered in the baptismal register.

Rhaid i bwy bynnag a weinyddodd fedydd preifat mewn argyfwng wneud cofnod gofalus o ddyddiad a lleoliad y bedydd ac o’r y person a fedyddiwyd. Dylid anfon y manylion at offeiriad y plwyf yn ddi-oed.

Cofnodir y bedydd yng nghofrestr y bedyddiadau yn y modd arferol.

The Bench of Bishops Mainc yr Esgobion

Maundy Thursday, 9 April 2020 Dydd Iau Cablyd, 9 Ebrill 2020

As I write, Captain Tom Moore has raised over £25,000,000 for the NHS at the age of 99 years old! He’s done it by slowly walking in his garden using a stroller and, having hoped to raise £1,000 before his forthcoming 100th birthday, his expectations have been far exceeded. With the fundraising still going on, there are now calls for him to be knighted and Captain Tom has vowed to continue for as long as the money still comes in. He’s been able to do it with the help and support of his family and has now become a hero in the eyes of many people, at a time when heroes are needed in the face of so much gloomy news about the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of my heroes is another Tom, Doubting Thomas, the focus of the Gospel reading for today. When Jesus first appeared to those frightened disciples who had locked themselves away that first Easter Day, Thomas was not there. He refused to believe it when they then told him they had seen Jesus – but he was present when Jesus returned a week later. Despite all he had been through, Jesus nevertheless invited Thomas to see and touch him as Thomas had insisted he would need to do, and something wonderful then happens:

 

Jesus said to Thomas,”….. Stop doubting and believe.” 

Thomas said to him, “My  Lord and my God.”

Then Jesus told him,  “ Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” St John 20: 27-29, NIV

 

Thomas refused to believe just because he was told to but, when confronted with the reality of the risen Christ, he then takes a huge leap of faith and becomes the first person after the resurrection to call Jesus not just his Lord but also his God. That’s why, for me, he’s a hero: in being honest about his doubts and in wanting to find out for himself, Thomas shows us that, as we wrestle with our own questions, greater understanding can result when the time is right. Doubt can be an honest part of faith and so this simple image of a person in prayer forming the shape of a question mark follows. I was given it when I was ordained thirty years ago as an encouragement to keep on asking questions about faith throughout my ministry. It still reminds me of Thomas, who doubted but realised before all the other disciples who Jesus really is. Such was the effect on him that Thomas is thought to have taken the Gospel to southern India and, through him, Jesus charges us to see and explore faith at work in our world today – and to find ourselves blessed when we do. 

In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, we may have many questions to ask of God, the authorities, those around us and ourselves. As the struggle for understanding goes on in these troubled times, may the example of Doubting Thomas enable us to see the other heroes who are all around us today in obvious and unspoken ways. Centenarian Captain Tom found his expectations were exceeded beyond anything he’d anticipated when he put his belief that he could raise £1,000 into action and is now being called a hero. He achieved what he’d set out to do by tackling his target in small ways, not trying to do it all at once, and the anxious weeks ahead of us can also be tackled one day at a time. In the midst of doubts about the future, we may find our own expectations being challenged and greater understanding may eventually result if we don’t give up. There is consternation and anguish as the pandemic continues – but there times when we may also have to be heroic as life changes so radically and when our actions can make hope and blessing realities too. That’s beyond doubt! 

With my prayers,

Chris

Priest Guardian

The Guardian newspaper has produced a virtual walk through the mountains leading right to our door. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/apr/07/virtual-walk-welsh-mountains-berwyn-os-map-and-my-imagination?CMP=share_btn_fb

The Bishop’s Pastoral Letter, 15th April, 2020 Llythyr Bugeiliol yr Esgob, Ebrill 15fed, 2020

“They left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy.” (Matthew 28.8)

“…dyma’r gwragedd yn rhedeg ar frys o’r bedd i ddweud wrth y disgyblion. Roedden nhw wedi dychryn, ac eto’n teimlo rhyw wefr.” (Mathew 28.8)

It is clear from the Gospel stories that the Resurrection of Jesus took the disciples by surprise. The stories in the four Gospels read slightly differently, but a common thread is the chaotic and shambolic response of the disciples: confusion, hope, faith, disbelief, and here in Matthew’s Gospel, “Fear and great joy.”

Mae hi’n glir o’r hanesion yn yr Efengylau bod Atgyfodiad Iesu wedi dal y disgyblion yn ddisymwth. Mae’r straeon yn y pedair Efengyl ychydig yn wahanol, ond un dolen-gyswllt rhyngddyn nhw ydy ymateb dryslyd ac anniben y disgyblion: anobaith, gobaith, ffydd, anghrediniaeth, ac yma yn Efengyl Mathew, “dychryn… a gwefr.”

Key women disciples went to the tomb early on Easter morning intending to finish the embalming process and expecting to have to find a way to tackle the heaviness of the stone sealing the tomb; they came away, having experienced the emptiness of the tomb and the presence of strange angelic figures who communicated the message of resurrection. This filled them with hope, but also bewilderment, not sure what they believed.

Aeth rhai o’r gwragedd allweddol at y bedd yn gynnar ar fore’r Pasg, gan fwriadu gorffen y broses o bêr-eneinio a disgwyl gorfod canfod ffordd i fynd i’r afael â’r dasg sylweddol o symud y garreg oedd yn selio’r bedd; fodd bynnag, dychwelyd wnaethon nhw wedi profi golygfa’r bedd gwag a phresenoldeb angylaidd fu’n cyfleu neges yr atgyfodiad. Fe blannodd hynny obaith yn eu calonnau, ond hefyd penbleth llwyr, gan eu gadael heb wybod yn iawn beth i’w gredu.

This mixture of emotions is very similar to what many of us are experiencing at the moment. There are the beauty of the Spring, happy moments with family in the household or over social media, but also the fear of infection, the sad news of people close to us suffering, which create in us a mixture of emotion. Are we to be happy, sad, frightened or joyful?

Mae’r cymysgedd hwn o emosiynau’n debyg iawn i’r hyn mae llawer ohonon ni’n ei brofi ar hyn o bryd. Dyma ni’n cael profi hyfrydwch y Gwanwyn, cyfnodau gwerthfawr yng nghwmni’r teulu, un ai ar yr aelwyd neu trwy’r cyfryngau cymdeithasol, ond hefyd ofn yr haint, y newyddion dyddiol torcalonnus am anwyliaid a chymaint o rai eraill yn dioddef, gan greu pair o deimladau cymysg. Ydyn ni i fod yn hapus, trist, ofnus neu’n llawen?

The central message of the visit to the tomb is that God takes the heaviness of the stone sealing the tomb and dislodges it with his action of raising Jesus from the dead. He wishes to take our heaviness away and imbue in us instead the joy of new life and hope. It is not so much that God will magically remove the challenges, but calls us to see them in a new perspective, in which the power and promise of the Resurrection tells us that in God, there is a victory to be won.

Neges ganolog yr ymweliad â’r bedd ydy mai Duw sy’n cymryd pwysau trwm y garreg sy’n selio’r bedd, gan ei symud trwy ei weithred yn codi Iesu o farw’n fyw. Ei ddymuniad ydy cymryd yr hyn sy’n pwyso’n drwm arnon ni a’n llenwi ni â llawenydd bywyd a gobaith newydd. Nid bod Duw trwy ryw hud a lledrith am symud yr heriau, ond yn hytrach yn ein galw i’w ystyried trwy bersbectif newydd, lle mae grym ac addewid yr Atgyfodiad yn datgan bod buddugoliaeth, yn Nuw, i’w gael.

The question is whether we will allow God to work the changes needed in our hearts, and orient us towards joy. Now that we have celebrated a virtual Easter, there comes the reminder that the Resurrection is not only about what happened then, but how Jesus seeks to bring new life into our situations now. We may well be embarking on the coming weeks with a sense of fear – the chance of infection coming our way is still high – but God wants to encourage us to go forward in joy also, knowing that Jesus has won the victory over the perils of evil, suffering and death to become a source of life, of strength and of hope.

Y cwestiwn ydy p’un ai a wnawn ni ganiatáu i Dduw weithio’r newidiadau sydd eu hangen ar ein calonnau, a throi ein gogwydd tuag at lawenydd. Gan ein bod bellach wedi dathlu Pasg rhithiol, cawn ein hatgoffa nad hanes yr hyn ddigwyddodd bryd hynny yn unig ydy’r Atgyfodiad, ond sut mae Iesu’n ceisio dod â bywyd newydd i’n sefyllfaoedd heddiw. Mae’n ddigon posib ein bod yn wynebu’r wythnosau sydd i ddod gydag ymdeimlad o ofn – mae’r posib inni ddal yr haint yn dal yn real iawn – ond mae Duw am ein hannog i fynd ymlaen mewn llawenydd hefyd, gan wybod fod Iesu wedi ennill y fuddugoliaeth dros beryglon y drwg, dioddefaint a marwolaeth i ddod yn ffynhonnell bywyd, nerth a gobaith.

I am grateful to all my clergy who have been finding new ways to bring help and succour to you, and inventive ways to invite you into worship and faith at this time. Most of what I have seen has been of a very high standard, and makes me think that we are learning a new way of being virtual Church which will impact on us in a permanently different way of engaging with faith and worship in the future. As we move into the fifty days of Easter, let us resolve to discover how God’s message of new life in Resurrection can assist us to discover new things in life and the journey of faith which we can carry into the future – not just ways of worship, but life-changing decisions about our discipleship which will bring us closer to the Risen Lord and open our hearts more fully to the grace and strength and faith which he longs to impart to us.

Rydw i’n ddiolchgar i bob un o’m clerigwyr sydd wedi bod yn canfod ffyrdd newydd o ddod â chymorth a chysur ichi, a ffyrdd dyfeisgar i’ch gwadd i addoli ac at ffydd yn yr amser hwn. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r hyn dwi wedi’i weld o safon eithriadol, gan wneud imi ystyried ein bod yn dysgu dull newydd o fod yn Eglwys rithiol a fydd yn gadael ei ôl mewn modd gwahanol a pharhaol o ymgysylltu â ffydd ac addoliad yn y dyfodol. Wrth inni symud i mewn i hanner can niwrnod y Pasg, dewch inni benderfynu darganfod sut y gall neges Duw am fywyd newydd trwy’r Atgyfodiad ein helpu ni i ganfod pethau newydd mewn bywyd a thaith y ffydd fydd yn gwmni inni i’r dyfodol – nid yn unig ffyrdd o addoli, ond penderfyniadau trawsnewidiol am ein siwrne fel disgyblion a ddaw â ni’n agosach at yr Arglwydd yr Atgyfodiad ac agor ein calonnau fwyfwy i’r gras a’r nerth a’r ffydd y mae’n dyheu i rannu â ni.

Dear friends, keep well and keep safe at this time, and may the Risen Lord sustain you in unexpected ways, to lift the heaviness of fear with the light of his love,

Annwyl ffrindiau, cadwch yn iach a chadwch yn ddiogel yn ystod y cyfnod hwn, a boed i’r Arglwydd Atgyfodedig eich cynnal mewn ffyrdd annisgwyl, i godi llethdod ofn trwy oleuni ei gariad,

Bishop of St Asaph Esgob Llanelwy

We have been featured in a new podcast by BBC Countrylife magazine https://www.countryfile.com/podcast/podcast-take-a-pilgrimage-to-an-ancient-shrine-in-a-remote-welsh-valley/

Please click the link above to go to the article.

The Song of Love/ Y Gân o Gariad

A Pastoral Letter to all the Faithful/ Llythyr Bugeiliol at yr holl Ffyddloniaid

For Holy Week 2020/ Ar gyfer yr Wythnos Fawr 2020

I am already feeling disappointed that the lockdown means that celebrations of Easter, the Queen of Feasts, will be muted this week.  Just when I would be preparing for the moving ceremonies of the Chrism Eucharist and Easter Vigil, not to mention Good Friday, I am conscious of the need to minister to a scattered family, where the future is more unclear than ever before.  At the same time, I am given a huge privilege and opportunity, with the help of colleagues, to speak to all of you through the recording of liturgies (see https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/coronavirus/digital-prayer-and-worship/worship-from-esgobty/ ), so that services will be available for the Triduum – the three great days of the liturgy of the Passion) and also through this pastoral letter, with the opportunity to proclaim the Good News of our Salvation in Jesus Christ.

Rwyf eisoes yn teimlo’n siomedig fod y cyfyngiadau symud yn golygu y bydd dathliadau’r Pasg, Brenhines y Gwyliau, yn dawelach yr wythnos hon. Ar yr union adeg pan fyddwn ni’n paratoi ar gyfer y seremonïau teimladol Ewcharist y Crism a Noswyl y Pasg, heb sôn am Ddydd Gwener y Groglith, rwy’n sylweddoli fod angen gweinidogaethu i deulu sydd ar wasgar, a hynny pan mae’r dyfodol yn fwy aneglur nag erioed o’r blaen. Ar yr un pryd, rwy’n cael y fraint a’r cyfle anferth, gyda chymorth cydweithwyr, o siarad gyda phob un ohonoch trwy recordiad o’r litwrgiau (gweler https://dioceseofstasaph.org.uk/coronavirus/digital-prayer-and-worship/worship-from-esgobty/ ), er mwyn i’r gwasanaethau fod ar gael ar gyfer y Triduum – tri diwrnod mawr litwrgi’r Dioddefaint), a hefyd trwy’r llythyr bugeiliol hwn, gyda’r cyfle i gyhoeddi Newyddion Da ein Hiachawdwriaeth yng Nghrist Iesu.

One of my very favourite hymns is “My Song is Love Unknown” by Samuel Crossman, written in 1664:

Un o fy holl emynau yw “My Song is Love Unknown” gan Samuel Crossman, cyfansoddwyd ym 1664.

My song is Love unknown,

My Saviour’s Love to me,

Love to the loveless shown,

that they might lovely be,

O, who am I, that for my sake,

My Lord should take frail flesh, and die?

It might be said that these coming three days teach us all we need to know about Love.  Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday, when we remember the “Mandatum”, the command of Jesus: “Love one another, as I have loved you.”  He demonstrated that love symbolically by washing the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper.  He, who was Rabbi and Master, attended to the most basic needs of the disciples in caring for their tiredness, dustiness, and weariness.  It is the nature of Love to care for the needs of the beloved.  Love is more than emotion, it is an act of will, an act which “cherishes”.

Mae’n bosibl dweud fod y tri diwrnod sydd ar ddod yn dysgu popeth y dylem ni wybod am Gariad. Yfory yw Dydd Iau Cablyd, pan fyddwn ni’n cofio’r “Mandatwm”, gorchymyn Iesu: “Carwch eich gilydd fel y cerais i chwi.” Dangosodd y cariad hwnnw’n symbolaidd drwy olchi traed y disgyblion yn y Swper Olaf. Fe, a oedd yn Rabbi ac yn Feistr, yn talu sylw i anghenion mwyaf sylfaenol ei ddisgyblion wrth ofalu amdanyn nhw yn eu blinder a’u budreddi. Natur Cariad yw gofalu am anghenion yr anwylyd. Mae cariad yn fwy nag emosiwn, mae’n weithred o ewyllys, gweithred sy’n “anwylo”.

On God’s Friday we see the cost of love – God gives himself up entirely for the pain and sin of the world.  There are versions of the Christian faith that somehow manage to make God look sadistic – a vengeful father determined to inflict pain on someone, anyone so that the price of sin might be paid – but let us remember that in the Christian faith it is God himself incarnate in Christ who is crucified:  God takes on to himself the pain, the hurt, the cost of sin.  It doesn’t matter how intolerable the burden of the brokenness of the world is, God takes it on his own shoulders.  “He has forgiven you all your sins: Christ has utterly wiped out the damning evidence of broken laws and commandments which always hung over our heads, and has completely annulled it by nailing it over his own head on the cross.” (Colossians 2.13-15, Philip’s Translation)

Ar Ddydd Gwener Duw rydym yn gweld pris cariad – mae Duw yn rhoi ei hunan yn llwyr dros boen a phechod y byd. Mae yna fersiynau o’r ffydd Cristnogol sy’n llwyddo, rywsut, i wneud i Dduw edrych yn sadydd – y tad dialgar, yn benderfynol o beri poen i rywun, unrhyw un er mwyn talu’r pris am bechod – ond gadewch i ni gofio, yn y ffydd Gristnogol, mai Duw ei hun, wedi’i ymgnawdoli yng Nghrist, sy’n cael ei groeshoelio: Mae Duw ei hunan yn cymryd arno’i hun y boen, y brifo, y pris am bechod. Waeth pa mor annioddefol yw baich y byd toriedig, mae Duw yn ei gymryd ar ei ysgwyddau ei hun. “Mae wedi maddau pechodau pob un ohonoch: Mae Crist wedi difa’n llwyr y dystiolaeth ddamniol, y cyfreithiau a’r gorchmynion sydd wedi’u torri ac a oedd yn hongian dros ein pennau, ac mae wedi’u dileu’n gyfan gwbl drwy ei hoelio dros ei ben ei hunan ar y groes.” (Colossiaid 2.13-15, Cyfieithiad o gyfieithiad Philip)

On Easter Eve, running into Easter Day, we see the prize of Love, which is new Life.  “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory in Our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15.57)  It is impossible for darkness, sin, death and evil to hold God down, and Christ is raised from death, the firstborn of many children (Romans 8.29), for his love is shown to us “that we might lovely be.”  God’s love recreates the universe, and we are invited to the party at the end of time.

Ar noswyl y Pasg, ychydig cyn Sul y Pasg, rydym yn gweld gwobr Cariad, sef Bywyd newydd. “Ond i Dduw y bo’r diolch, yr hwn sy’n rhoi’r fuddugoliaeth i ni trwy ein Harglwydd Iesu Grist.” (1 Corinthians 15.57) Mae’n amhosibl i dywyllwch, pechod, marwolaeth a drygioni gadw Duw i lawr, ac mae Crist wedi codi o farw’n fyw, y cyntafanedig ymhlith brodyr lawer (Rhufeiniaid 8.29), oherwydd mae ei gariad wedi dangos i ni “mor hawddgar y gallwn ni fod.” Mae cariad Duw yn ail greu’r bydysawd ac rydym ninau’n cael gwahoddiad i’r parti ar ddiwedd amser.

To be a Christian is to plant ourselves firmly under the banner of Love:  to accept what God’s love has done for us in Christ, and to become channels of that love in the world.  We are called to love extravagantly because God loved us.  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4.10) “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” (1 John 4.7)

Bod yn Gristion yw ein gosod ni’n hunain yn gadarn o dan faner Cariad: derbyn beth mae cariad Duw wedi’i wneud i ni yng Nghrist ac i ddod yn ffrydiau o’r cariad hwnnw yn y byd. Rydym ni’n cael ein galw i garu’n afradlon oherwydd bod Duw wedi ein caru ni. “Yn hyn y mae cariad: nid ein bod ni’n caru Duw, ond ei fod ef wedi ein caru ni, ac anfon ei Fab i fod yn foddion ein puredigaeth oddi wrth ein pechodau.” (1 Ioan 4.10) “Gyfeillion annwyl, gadewch i ni garu ein gilydd, oherwydd o Dduw y mae cariad.” 1 Ioan 4.7:

We may not be able to meet together publicly and physically in the coming days, but I urge you to make the journey of love alongside one another spiritually – to know that, as you make that journey, the Teulu Asaph makes that journey with you in the same way and at the same time.  As we reflect on Jesus’ readiness to lay aside his robes, and gird himself as a slave to wash the feet of his disciples, let us commit to serve the Servant King.  As we find a way to explore the desolation of the Cross, let us resolve, in the face of fear or of difficulty, to spend and to be spent in the name of God’s love for the world.  In the darkness turned to light which is Easter, let us rise to new life and commitment as followers of the Lord.  And let us know that we can do these things because he gives us such grace that this might be so: “For I am sure that he that began this good work in you will bring it to completion.” (Philippians 1.6)

Efallai na fyddwn ni’n gallu cyfarfod ein gilydd yn gyhoeddus nac yn gorfforol yn ystod y dyddiau i ddod, ond rwy’n eich annog i wneud y daith o gariad gyda’ch gilydd, yn ysbrydol – yn gwybod, wrth i chi fynd ar y daith honno, fod Teulu Asaph hefyd yn teithio gyda chi ar yr union un ffordd, yn union yr un pryd. Wrth i ni fyfyrio ar barodrwydd Iesu i roi’i ddillad ar naill ochr a gwisgo gwisg caethwas i olchi traed ei ddisgyblion, gadewch i ni ymrwymo i wasanaethu’r Brenin Tlawd. Wrth i ni ganfod ffordd i archwilio trallod y Groes, gadewch i ni benderfynu, yn wyneb ofn neu anhawster, ddefnyddio a chael ein defnyddio yn enw cariad Duw dros y byd. Yn y tywyllwch sydd wedi troi’n oleuni’r Pasg, gadewch i ni godi i fywyd ac ymrwymiad newydd fel dilynwyr yr Arglwydd. A gadewch i ni wybod y gallwn ni wneud y pethau hyn oherwydd mae’n rhoi’r gras i ni fel y gallai hyn fod: “Yr wyf yn sicr o hyn yma, y bydd i’r hwn a ddechreuodd waith da ynoch ei gwblhau.“ (Philipiaid 1.6)

My song is Love unknown,

My Saviour’s Love to me,

Love to the loveless shown,

that they might lovely be,

O, who am I, that for my sake,

My Lord should take frail flesh, and die.

The woman behind the counter of the shop said to me the other week (I haven’t been out much more recently): “What can I do for you, my lovely?”  She said it so casually, and yet I am God’s lovely, and you are God’s lovely, and we are God’s lovely, not because of our own loveliness, which may be rather elusive, but because in Christ, our identity is a sure inheritance.  “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8.32)

Dywedodd y wraig y tu ôl i gownter y siop wrthyf yr wythnos o’r blaen (dydw i ddim wedi bod allan yn ddiweddar): “Beth alla i wneud i chi, del?” Dywedodd y peth mor ddidaro, ac eto ‘del’ Duw ydw i, rydych chi’’n ‘ddel’ i Dduw, mae pawb ohonom yn ‘ddel’ Duw. Nid oherwydd ein bod ni’n ‘ddel’ ynom ni ein hunain, a allai fod braidd yn anodd ei ganfod, ond oherwydd, yng Nghrist, mae pwy a beth ydym ni’n etifeddiaeth sicr. “Ni arbedodd Duw ei Fab ei hun, ond ei draddodi i farwolaeth trosom ni oll. Ac os rhoddodd ei Fab, sut y gall beidio â rhoi pob peth i ni gydag ef?” (Rhufeiniaid 8.32)

With every blessing for the Triduum and Easter,

Gyda phob bendith dros y Triduum a’r Pasg,

Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Rejoice, O earth, in glory, revealing the splendour of your creation! The Exsultet
May the glory of your garden bring hope and joy as Easter dawns afresh and as Love cannot be confined even if we are!
With my prayers,
Chris

It was very strange not to be able to gather yesterday to remember the final meal Jesus shared with his followers, the Last Supper, and to keep watch for a while recalling the time afterwards when Jesus went with his followers to the Mount of Olives. The Gospel of Luke describes what may well have been Jesus having what we would today call a panic attack caused by anxiety as he asked God whether his sacrifice HAD to happen:

‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done…….
Being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.’ (St Luke 22: 42-44)

His disciples having fallen asleep, Jesus was alone when he most needed support and, if he was sweating at that hour of the night, this was likely to be the cold sweat of fear. But Jesus still found the strength and courage to persevere despite what was happening and his example then may hearten us as we now endure isolation, anguish, and uncertainty caused by the ongoing pandemic.

Jesus’ fear was well founded due to his later arrest, trial, terrible suffering and dreadful death. Although the actual place is disputed, the crucifixion probably happened in an awful place where not only criminals were put to death but the bodies of animals sacrificed in the Temple were brought to be burned like rubbish nearby.

Some weeks ago, I was sent a crucifix on stained glass which had been thrown away with a lot of rubbish and was fished out by the skip collector who then asked his son to bring it here. It seems appropriate to place it on the bare altar this Good Friday when the death of Jesus outside the city wall of Jerusalem is remembered and when life today has had to be stripped of so much that usually gives us purpose,  joy and hope.

In the terrible circumstances of the anxiety, suffering, anguish and death being caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, the sacrificial death of Jesus may enable us to find the strength and courage to persevere with the sacrifices being asked of us all this Good Friday. For this is only part of the unfolding story and, despite it all, hope lives on. Doesn’t it?

Hello, one and all
Today is Palm Sunday and it usually begins in church as a time of rejoicing which marks the day Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey and Holy Week begins. While making breakfast in the kitchen, with the palm crosses that can’t be distributed nearby, I was thinking how strange it seemed to have to celebrate this joyful morning so quietly and in isolation. Suddenly, the sun shone through the window and the image of part of a cross with palm branches was revealed on the wall above the bread bin! (A photo of the image follows – by the time I had found my iPad, it had faded but is still visible.) It was actually the shadow of the window frame and the spider plants on the window sill but it reminded me that we may not see the full picture but we each have our part in the events that are happening. What it showed me lifted my spirits and changed my perspective as this extraordinary Holy Week unfolds.

The Gospels tell us that, on the first Palm Sunday, the crowds ripped palm branches from the trees and laid cloaks on the ground to celebrate Jesus’ arrival. Today’s Gospel of the Palms tells us that two disciples were sent to make preparations:
“Go to the village ahead of you, and……you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.”…….. The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them…….. When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” (Matt. 22:1-11, NIV)

This has a new resonance this year, in the Covid-19 pandemic. Jesus instructed his disciples to prepare by fetching the donkey for him and Government advice has now turned from guidance into instruction about social distancing. Many people are having to make challenging preparations for whatever lies ahead whilst older and vulnerable folk have to rely on others doing things such as fetching food or medicines for them while they are in self-isolation. We may be stirred and agitated by what’s happening and may also be asking, “Who is this?” as we judge whether or not it’s safe to encounter those nearby. That’s not easy – we are in circumstances that are evolving and uncertain, where life has changed out of all recognition and each of us is now instructed to undertake things we’d rather not do. Those first disciples must have found their lives had also changed out of all recognition when they met and followed Jesus and they were also clearly bewildered and frightened at times during the events of Holy Week. They – Jesus too – had to face extraordinary circumstances, suffering and death itself and it was only much later, when life was restored in a new way, that they all began to understand why this had been necessary. Perhaps their examples will hearten us as we now have to face all this ourselves amidst the Covid-19 pandemic which is also unfolding this Holy Week.

For the sake of others as well as ourselves, we are now instructed to make preparation and do what is deemed necessary to save lives.
Will we?

With my prayers,
Chris
Shrine Guardian